Tooth Extractions

Sometimes, a tooth just needs to go. When it does, you want to make sure that you have a professional escorting it out. Farah Ahmad, DDS, Sumra Ahmad, DDS, and Saira Ahmad, DDS, are exceptional dentists who provide their patients at Smile Dental Clinic with safe, effective, and gentle extractions. If you need a tooth pulled, schedule a visit at their office in Falls Church and Herndon, Virginia. You can book your appointment by calling the nearest office, or you can request one online at any time. 

What is an extraction?

Typically, Smile Dental Clinic takes every measure to avoid removing a tooth since it’s preferable for your oral health to keep your natural structures as intact as possible. But there are some instances when a tooth can cause more trouble than it’s worth. In those cases, your dentist might need to remove the tooth from your smile, a process called an “extraction.”

When do I need an extraction?

Some of the reasons the team at Smile Dental Clinic might need to extract your tooth include:

• Excessive decay that’s beyond repair or restoration
• An infection caused significant damage to the supporting bone structure
• Crowded teeth or to make more room for orthodontic treatment
• Gum disease

Extractions are also sometimes recommended for patients who are about to undergo chemotherapy or organ transplants. Chemotherapy and organ transplant surgery are tough on your immune system, so it’s sometimes a necessary precaution to remove teeth that are prone to infection and might become problematic down the line. 

What should I expect from my extraction?

There are two main categories of extractions: simple and surgical. 

Simple extraction

The team at Smile Dental Clinic performs a simple extraction if your tooth has erupted through your gums and is visible. Your dentist numbs your tooth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic, then loosens your tooth with an instrument called an “elevator.” Once your tooth is loose enough to remove, they extract it with forceps. Because of the anesthesia, you won’t feel any pain during your extraction, just some slight pressure as the tooth is removed. 

Surgical extraction

Surgical extractions are performed when your tooth is impacted or hasn’t erupted through your gums. In addition to local anesthesia, you might be given intravenous or general anesthesia for a surgical extraction. Once you’re sedated, your dentist or an oral surgeon makes a surgical incision in your gum and removes the tooth. Depending on the state of your tooth, they might need to remove some of the bone around it or break it up before extracting it.

How do I care for my smile after an extraction?

Smile Dental Clinic gives you detailed aftercare instructions to keep you healthy, accelerate your healing, and decrease your discomfort following your extraction. Accurately following your aftercare instructions helps you recover faster and ultimately gives your treatment better results.

They might also recommend a restoration, such as a bridge or a dental implant, to make your smile whole again.

To learn more about how Smile Dental Clinic can improve your oral health with a tooth extraction, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.