Dr. Ebrahimi will need to assess your tooth through x-rays and an oral exam to determine if an extraction is necessary or if the tooth can be saved with restorative treatment.
When a tooth is impacted, we need to make an incision to access the tooth.
A dental elevator is used to loosen the tooth in the socket, severing the ligaments that hold it in place. The dental elevator rocks the tooth back and forth until it’s completely loose.
Forceps are used to remove the tooth from the socket. If we made an incision into your gums, we will suture these shut.
A basic extraction is the removal of a tooth that has fully erupted through the gums. No surgical incisions are necessary to access the tooth so we very simply just loosen and remove the tooth. This can often be done under less sedation than a surgical extraction and the healing time is faster at about 3 to 4 weeks. There is also no need for any sutures.
Wisdom teeth can fully erupt or be impacted so depending on how your wisdom teeth have come through, you may not need to have them extracted. Most people, however, have impacted wisdom teeth because of a lack of jaw space. This can cause a whole range of discomfort
including severe tooth and jaw pain, sinus problems, infections, tooth decay, mouth ulcers, damage to the surrounding teeth, bad breath, and difficulty chewing. If you experience any of these problems or if x-rays show that your wisdom teeth are likely to cause these problems in the future, we will recommend that you have them removed. Surgical extractions are used to remove impacted wisdom teeth that are fully or partially stuck in the gums. An incision is made to access the tooth and we section the tooth (cut it into small fragments) and perform the rest of the extraction in the same way as a basic extraction.
Dental sealants are most commonly recommended for children who may be high-risk for tooth decay, but they’re also a great option for patients of any age who wish to protect themselves from developing cavities. A relatively straight-forward procedure, dental sealants start with the application of dental resin, usually to the rear teeth, as they have more grooves and uneven surfaces where plaque and bacteria can easily hide. A UV light will be used to cure the resin, hardening it and creating a powerful barrier between your enamel and food debris, acid, or bacteria. When applied correctly, dental sealants can last for years!
Many patients struggle with gum disease, and if left untreated, can risk losing their teeth and other problems. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and is the only stage that can actually be reversed with deep cleanings and attentive at-home hygiene. If you have gum disease, keeping up with your regular cleanings and checkups will help you gain control over your oral health before it’s too late!
For patients with more advanced stages of periodontitis, we recommend scheduling deep cleanings at more frequent intervals, usually every three to four months. Although the effects of advanced gum disease can’t be reversed, deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing can halt the progression of periodontitis and help preserve your oral health.
Oral cancer screenings are an important part of every preventive care visit. Catching oral cancer in its early stages allows us to stop it before it spreads, and can save your life. That’s why we’ll always check for signs of oral cancer at every preventive visit.
Your dentist will examine your oral tissues, like your gums and tongue, keeping an eye out for abnormalities like lesions, lumps, discolorations. If we find anything unusual, we’ll take a biopsy and send it out to a specialist for a thorough analysis. Although oral cancer isn’t overly common, it’s important to remain proactive and consistent with your oral healthcare routine, so we can identify any issues before they become major problems.
Teeth grinding and clenching while sleeping is a common issue faced by many patients. Night guards are a great solution for this unconscious clenching, also known as bruxism. Night guards form a soft barrier that protects your teeth from damage caused by the pressure of clenching and grinding. Your dentist will take an impression or a scan of your teeth and gums to create a unique mold that will be sent to a dental lab, where your night guard will be custom-crafted. Night guards work by easing the tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and other side effects of clenching and grinding, so you can get the sleep you need and keep your teeth from wearing down.
Sports mouth guards are worn over the teeth, just like night guards. However sports guards are designed specifically to protect your smile from dental injuries that are so common when playing high-intensity impact sports. Custom-fitted sports guards can help protect athletes from oral trauma caused by collisions to the mouth, face, and head. If you play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, rugby, hockey, gymnastics, mountain biking, or other activities that put you at risk for injury due from falls, body contact, or flying objects, ask us about getting fitted for a custom sports guard today! Tailored to fit your unique smile, sports guards are comfortable, durable, and won’t stop you from playing the sports you love.
The recovery time and healing process after a tooth extraction vary from individual to individual, but typically you should expect your mouth to be back to normal within 7-10 days. Discomfort and swelling are common after tooth extraction. However, eating soft foods and taking pain relievers as advised can help speed up the recovery process. Ensure to follow all recommended instructions for care for the best results.
Tooth extractions can be a source of concern for many patients. Understanding that most extractions are simple procedures with minimal discomfort is essential. After the extraction, Dr. Naman Zia Ebrahimi will ensure that the area is numbed to ensure you feel as minimal discomfort as possible during your recovery period.
A tooth extraction is typically necessary when a tooth can no longer be saved from severe decay or damage. In some cases, a fracture might have caused the tooth to become structurally unsound; in others, decay may have caused the tooth to die and not respond to treatments like root canals.
Other times, a patient’s mouth may be overcrowded with teeth, and an extraction is needed to create more room before orthodontic treatment can begin. The most common reasons for needing an extraction are decay, infection, trauma or fractures, crowded teeth, abscesses, and impacted teeth.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for a tooth extraction procedure:
After you have extracted your tooth or teeth, it is important to follow certain guidelines to facilitate proper healing. Here are some things you should NOT do after having a tooth pulled:
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