Extractions Specialist
Alegria Dental Care
General Dentist located in Houston, TX.
Serving Sharpstown, Bellaire, and the greater Southwest Houston area
Hearing the word “extraction” when it comes to your teeth may make you shudder, but if you need to have a tooth pulled, Alegria Dental Care in Houston takes the stress out of your appointment. Our exceptionally friendly and compassionate dental team understands that you may have anxiety about an upcoming tooth extraction. This is why we take extra time and care to help you feel comfortable throughout the entire appointment. Call the office or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
Extractions Q & A
Why do I need a tooth extraction?
It’s never easy to lose a permanent tooth, but for a variety of reasons, it may be necessary, especially if it means keeping the rest of your mouth healthy. Or, in some cases, your child may need to have a baby tooth pulled to make room for permanent teeth.
Common reasons you may need to have either a baby tooth or a permanent tooth pulled include:
- Damage or decay from gum disease
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Risk of infection
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Trauma from an injury
If you have a tooth that’s causing you pain, it may be a simple cavity, too. We make sure to examine your teeth and gums closely to determine if a tooth can be repaired or if it needs to be extracted.
What is the procedure for a tooth extraction?
There are two types of tooth extraction procedures: simple and surgical. If your tooth is visible in your mouth, it’s a simple extraction. If your tooth is below the surface of your gums — described as impacted, as is often the case with wisdom teeth — it’s a surgical extraction.
During a simple extraction, we numb the area around your tooth with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain during the tooth removal. We then loosen your tooth and remove it in a rather quick, easy process.
A surgical extraction is a bit more involved since the tooth is below your gums. You may need a local anesthetic for pain as well as intravenous or general anesthesia to calm and relax you during the extraction, so we will take extra care of you and make sure you are relaxed and comfortable at all times.
During a surgical extraction, we make a small incision in your gum so we can remove your tooth. We may also need to remove some of the bone surrounding the tooth. You may feel pressure in your mouth, but it’s not painful.
What is the recovery like after an extraction?
As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some pain or discomfort after your tooth extraction, but typically, it’s mild and temporary. We'll give you instructions to care for your mouth after surgery, and we may give you a prescription for pain medication, but in most cases, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines reduce your discomfort.
As you recover, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours, or anything else that may prevent your mouth from healing. You should avoid smoking as you heal, and don’t rinse your mouth vigorously.
For a tooth extraction in a personal, state-of-the-art environment, call the experienced team at Alegria Dental Care or schedule a consultation online.
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