Tooth Extractions – York, PA

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

Teeth may need to be removed in the following situations:

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Unless a wisdom tooth can fully erupt in your mouth, it will likely need to be removed to prevent infections and other issues.
• Severe Damage: While we’ll always try to repair your teeth when possible, sometimes the enamel is too weak or damaged to support a crown.
• Advanced Decay: If root canal therapy is no longer an option, we may have to remove a badly infected or decayed tooth before the bacteria spreads throughout the mouth.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Since each treatment plan is unique, there isn’t a cookie-cutter answer. That said, we can give you a general overview of the process, which starts with Dr. Cyriac numbing your mouth. Once you can’t feel anything, we will ask if you’re ready to start and, if you are, begin the procedure. If your tooth has emerged from the gumline, then we will complete a simple extraction, which involves gently rocking the tooth loose. If your tooth hasn’t emerged from the gumline, then a surgical extraction is needed instead, which requires us to first make an incision in your gums. Again, you won’t feel any pain with either option, and we can add sedation dentistry to your treatment plan if that would make your experience better.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

To ensure the recovery period goes smoothly, we will provide you with aftercare instructions. Here are some common ones:

• Don’t smoke, spit, or drink through a straw
• Stick to a liquid or soft foods diet
• Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed
• Use cold compresses for 10 minutes at a time
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
• Keep your mouth clean by brushing gently around the extraction site

If you want to learn more about tooth extractions – whether it’s about the cost or the procedure – don’t hesitate to reach out to our York dental team. We would be happy to answer any questions you have with the goal of helping you decide what’s best for your oral health.