Learn More About the Importance of a Tooth Extraction to Achieve a Healthy Smile 

Most people associate the need for dental extraction in Chicago to be as a result of poor oral hygiene that’s culminated in severe tooth decay.

While that association is correct, there are also other reasons that a dentist near you may recommend a tooth extraction.

Tooth Extraction in Chicago May Be Needed for Preventive Childhood Dental Care

If you’re a parent and you want your child to have a winning smile as an adult, your dentist may recommend that one or more of your child’s teeth be extracted as a way to plan for their future orthodontic treatment.

By working with the dentists at Dental Impressions, you and your child will receive top-tier preventive dentistry guidance to ensure the beauty and health of your child’s adult smile in years to come.

Whether it’s tooth extraction or the use of dental sealants and fluoride treatment, Chicago patients of all ages will receive the one-on-one guidance from Dental Impressions to make the best decisions for their oral health.

What to Expect When a Dentist Recommends a Simple Tooth Extraction

There are two types of tooth extractions that a dentist may recommend.

One of the most familiar is a wisdom tooth extraction – also known as a surgical tooth extraction. We’ll talk more about that in a minute after we’ve discussed what is known as a simple tooth extraction.

This type of extraction is used in childhood dental care as already mentioned, as well as adult dental care for teeth that have been damaged from trauma or decay and cannot be restored through traditional forms of restorative dentistry such as dental crowns.

When it’s recommended that you have a tooth extracted because it cannot be restored, the procedure can be performed in your Chicago dentist office by using local anesthesia and forceps.

You may experience minor discomfort from the loosening process, but most patients find that over-the-counter painkillers help to alleviate any post-procedure soreness.

It Might Be Wise to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Often referred to as third molars, dental professionals monitor wisdom teeth for several reasons.First, if the tooth is coming in at a less than desirable angle, it could pose a crowding issue with the health of your other teeth.

Also, if a wisdom tooth becomes impacted – which means it’s unable to emerge fully – it can lead to pain and infection.

These are two reasons that a dentist near you in Chicago might recommend a wisdom tooth extraction procedure. If you’ve been told that it’s time for surgical tooth extraction, you may have some concerns about what to expect afterward.

Post-Operative Care for Surgical Dental Extractions

You will most likely be provided with a full set of post-operative instructions from the oral surgeon who is performing the extraction. These instructions will include information about the types of food to eat after the extraction as well as ways to avoid a tooth extraction infection.

Some signs of infection that may follow a surgical tooth extraction include pain and swelling that do not respond to the prescribed post-op care, a fever above 101 degrees, excessive bleeding at either the site of extraction or in mucous from nasal discharge, or prolonged difficulty swallowing.

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s recommended that you contact the oral surgeon who performed the surgical extraction or an emergency dentist near you in Chicago for immediate treatment.

Our First Priority: To Save Your Teeth

Even though dental extractions may be necessary to improve the quality of your smile, our number one goal at Dental Impressions is to help patients preserve their natural teeth for as long as possible.

To do this, we provide preventive dental care such as professional teeth cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and screening for oral cancer and early gum disease.

If it’s been more than six months since your last dental exam, and you want to prevent the possibility of needing a dental extraction from lack of preventive dental care, we invite you to make an appointment today with Dr. Bader or Dr. Zaidi to learn more about the affordable dental services available at Dental Impressions.