The prospect of living with a missing tooth is a daunting one. That’s why at Bingham-Lester Dentistry, we try to use conservative treatments to save your teeth. If possible, we try root canal therapy and other procedures to salvage your teeth, but sometimes an extraction is the only viable option to maintain a healthy smile for the rest of your life.
Why would a tooth need extraction?
There are numerous reasons why your teeth would need to be extracted. Here are some reasons:
- A severely damaged or decayed tooth that other dental treatments can’t save
- An impacted wisdom tooth
- Overcrowded teeth that impede other orthodontic treatments
- Severe gum infection that has spread to surrounding tissues and structures
When the extraction is the only option, be sure to get a proper explanation for the reasons from Dr. Vickii R. Bingham-Lester. Besides, she will explain the extraction procedure to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
The tooth extraction process
A while back, the mention of tooth extraction would immediately send panic to patients. But today, technology has made the process more comfortable than ever. While many people associate tooth removal with pain, it’s the opposite. Tooth extraction relieves you pain caused by the decayed, damaged, or impacted tooth.
Before the extraction process, Dr. Bingham-Lester administers local anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort. If you are overly anxious, sedatives can be used — but most patients cope without them. Next, our dentist uses gentle techniques to pull out your teeth.
After the extraction process, we take our patients through the post-recovery process to speed up healing. Here are some tips to ensure that your recovery is smooth.
- Maintain the gauze at the surgery site to stop bleeding
- A cold compress can manage the swelling
- Avoid disrupting the surgery site to keep the clot intact
- Rinse your mouth with warm, salty water. Brush the rest of the teeth twice a day.
- Contact our clinic if you experience pain or fever that lasts for a few days.
Are you ready to benefit from our dental extraction treatment? Please contact (410) 885-6522 to book an appointment with Dr. Bingham-Lester at Bingham-Lester Dentistry of Crofton.
