At Moreno & Young Dental, we know that there’s no substitution that can truly compare to your natural, home-grown teeth. That’s why we never suggest tooth extraction unless it’s absolutely necessary to restore the health and function of your smile. In cases where a tooth is severely damaged or compromised, or if you need to remove a tooth in order to restore your dental structure, we’ll walk you through every detail of the treatment so you can weigh your options.
We only recommend extracting a tooth if its absolutely crucial to maintain good oral health. In cases where a tooth is severely damaged or infected, removing it can prevent the problem from spreading to surrounding teeth, creating widespread damage to your smile. Here are some situations in which we may suggest this procedure:
In any of these cases, your dentist in Bellingham will discuss all of your treatment options with you in detail and why we recommend them.
If your tooth has already protruded through the gumline and is showing, we can easily remove it using two instruments, a dental elevator and forceps. We’ll use the elevator to gently lift your tooth free of its socket. Then, we’ll grab ahold of the biting surface of it with a pair of dental forceps to gently lift it from your mouth and remove it. For more complicated situations, we may need to surgically remove the tooth, which is a different process.
To make a speedy recovery, we recommend doing the following:
After tooth extraction in Bellingham, you don’t have to live with an incomplete smile. We offer a variety of restorative treatments to provide you with a fully functional and complete grin. To learn about all of the treatments that we offer, feel free to call our office or ask us before you receive your tooth extraction.
Are you in need of a tooth extraction in Bellingham? You may still have some unanswered questions about this procedure, so we’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions we receive about tooth extractions. If you don’t see your question listed below, give us a call . We’re happy to get you the information that you’re looking for and walk you through the procedure so you can be ready for your treatment.
Many patients are hesitant to commit to treatment because they’re worried that the procedure will hurt. Fortunately, whether you are getting one tooth pulled of multiple, the first step is always going to be numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you are likely to experience some soreness for a few days after the procedure. Closely follow your aftercare instructions to prevent infection and promote healing.
If the tooth that is getting pulled is towards the back of the mouth, many patients think that they don’t need to have it replaced. After all, if no one can see it, why replace it? In reality, your teeth do so much more than just add to the appearance of your smile. They are essential to chewing properly and enunciating clearly. Even one missing back tooth can make it difficult to chew, leading to poor nutrition and indigestion. It is recommended that when you’re done healing, you schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine which tooth replacement option is right for you.
Since tobacco products can delay the healing process, you shouldn’t smoke immediately following your tooth extraction. It is recommended that you abstain from smoking for at least five days afterwards. However, if you are able, you should avoid smoking for two weeks. If you have had difficulty quitting in the past, let us know. This way, we can help you prepare in advanced.
It usually takes around six to eight weeks to get your dentures. Once you’ve healed completely, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth that will be used to craft your restoration. During this time, they will make note of the ideal size, shape, and shade of your replacement teeth, which the dental laboratory will used to craft your new smile. Once they have been created, your dentist will have you try them on and teach you how to care for them.