TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Your Experts In Oral Surgery

Tooth extractions, or the removal of teeth, are one of the most common oral surgery procedures. At Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we only perform tooth extractions to improve your quality of life and overall dental health. Dr. Tran and Dr. Nguyen are highly experienced in extractions and will work closely with you to determine if tooth extractions are right for you.

tooth extractions

Do I Need A Tooth Extraction?

We try to restore tooth function without removing a tooth as much as possible, but sometimes a tooth cannot be saved. Tooth extractions may be necessary for a variety of conditions, including:

Impaction

Impaction refers to teeth that are trapped in the jaw or under the gums. Impacted teeth may not have room to emerge, or they might be pointed in the wrong direction. Impacted teeth can cause serious problems such as infection, nerve damage and more.

If there is not enough room for a tooth to come through, Dr. Tran or Dr. Nguyen may recommend extracting a tooth. This is common for our pediatric patients who need more room in their mouths to make way for incoming adult teeth.

If a tooth becomes infected, extracting the tooth may be the healthiest option. If left untreated, a decayed or damaged tooth can cause significant harm to your smile, leading to a chain reaction of dental issues.

Dental trauma or damage may leave the tooth beyond repair. In this case, removing the tooth may be the best treatment option. Please know that Dr. Tran and Dr. Nguyen prefer to save your tooth whenever possible.

Dental trauma or damage may leave the tooth beyond repair. In this case, removing the tooth may be the best treatment option. Please know that Dr. Tran and Dr. Nguyen prefer to save your tooth whenever possible.

Benefits Of Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction provides several advantages. Primarily, it helps eliminate harmful bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums. If left untreated, a decayed or damaged tooth can cause significant issues, leading to a cascade of dental problems. Extracting the problematic tooth promotes optimal oral health. Moreover, a tooth extraction can quickly alleviate dental pain, especially if the tooth was severely broken or infected.

Preparing For Oral Surgery

Before surgery, our dentists will take X-rays to get a better look at the affected teeth. Our dentist will explain the procedure and ask you if you have any questions before surgery. Depending on how many teeth will be extracted, this is also when your dentist will decide on the type of sedation best suited for your procedure. Local anesthesia may be all that is needed. However, your dentist may recommend another kind of anesthesia depending on your preferences or the severity of your tooth extractions.

Tooth Extractions In Fairfax, VA

At Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we help patients feel as comfortable as possible during an oral surgery procedure. Extracting a tooth includes the following:

Numb the area

First, your dentist will numb the affected tooth and the surrounding gum line. In most cases, a local anesthetic will be used.

Your dentist will gently loosen the tooth, wiggling it back and forth until it comes free from its socket. If the tooth is located deep in the gum, a small incision will be made to reach it.

Once the tooth is removed, the socket will be cleaned and disinfected. This is also when stitches will be placed, if necessary.

After a tooth has been removed, gauze will be placed to help control bleeding and encourage a clot to form.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

After an extraction, light bleeding is normal. You may also experience slight pain, swelling and discomfort, which can be treated with oral pain medication. Eating soft foods, applying ice packs and being gentle with the area can help ensure a speedy recovery. During recovery, you should take care of your teeth as normal while avoiding direct activity to the socket. If you experience severe pain after an extraction, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible.