Do I Need My Tooth Extracted?

Do I Need My Tooth Extracted? - Dr. Boals

Do I Need My Tooth Extracted?

During your visit to your Colorado Springs dentist, you may hear some unsettling news. It could just be that you need to have a tooth extracted. There are several reasons beyond your wisdom teeth removal that you may need to have one or more teeth extracted.

We’ve gathered some of the reasons that your dentist in Colorado Springs might recommend an extraction as the best course of treatment.

Overcrowding In Your Mouth

It could just be that there simply isn’t enough space in your mouth to accommodate each of your adult teeth. This can lead to alignment concerns and lead to more serious damage later on.  As your teeth shift about in your mouth, each jostling for space that simply isn’t available. You may also experience trouble with gum disease and advanced tooth decay. Patients with overcrowded teeth also experience discomfort and have difficulty chewing some foods. This is one of the most common reasons for tooth removal in Colorado Springs, says Dr. Cody Boals.

Severe Decay in One or More Teeth

For some patients in Colorado Springs, root canal therapy can salvage a tooth that has been damaged by severe decay. In other patients, the tooth may be so extensively damaged that there is no way to salvage any part of the tooth’s structure. Removing the tooth will be the best choice to get the patient out of pain and halt the continued spread of an infection present in the tooth.

Dr. David Moghadam, a dentist who offers root canal therapy in Easton, PA, says that there’s no fighting decay once it has spread far into a tooth’s roots. Antibiotics can only do so much. The tooth may be lost in time, but it may cause significant pain before then. Extraction is the best way to avoid that pain.

Gum Disease

If it has been some time since you have visited your Colorado Springs family dentist, there is the chance that you may have evidence of gum disease. Periodontal disease can take a toll on your gums and your teeth. The bacteria present can damage the bone structures that provide support for the teeth. Decay will accelerate, and pain may set in. The infection can also potentially spread between teeth.

Your dentist may suggest that a tooth be removed for any of the following reasons.

  • A tooth has developed an abscess and is badly infected
  • The tooth is no longer supported by the jaw and is loose
  • The infection can be seen spreading to the bone, surrounding teeth and even the soft tissue in the mouth

Early stages of gum disease will typically not require a tooth extraction. It is only once an infection has advanced to serious stages that removing an infected tooth is necessary to halt the infection spread and to offer protection for other teeth.

One or More Impacted Wisdom Teeth

It is very common to have impacted wisdom teeth. These teeth erupt in your mouth once all of your other teeth are already in place. This can result in some concerns, including overcrowding and misalignment. 

When wisdom teeth are impacted, they don’t erupt correctly. They are impacted in the gum, beneath the gum. They may partially erupt or not erupt at all. Being the very back molars in your mouth, these teeth are at high risk for damage and decay. The decay may go undetected, to the degree that the tooth begins to cause discomfort and pain.

Your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, may recommend an extraction before the teeth begin to cause issues. 

Tooth Damage That Cannot Be Repaired

Whether a tooth has been damaged or broken due to an accident or an injury, it could be that the damage is too extensive. The majority of the time, your dentist can repair the damage using a crown. In some situations, the tooth break may be beneath the gum line. In this situation, removing the remaining tooth structure will typically be better for keeping the infection at bay.

Remember that your situation is unique, and your treatment plan will be tailored to meet your individual needs. If you’re looking for a new dentist in Colorado Springs, you can count on Kissing Camels Family Dentistry to provide you with the best care possible. Call us to make your appointment.

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions - Dr. Boals

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we always do everything in our power to preserve your natural teeth. However, your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, may recommend a tooth extraction if your tooth is severely decayed or damaged. If you just found out you need a tooth extraction, Dr. Cody Boal, a CO Springs dentist, shares everything you need to know about tooth extractions. 

Types of Tooth Extraction

At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we categorize tooth extractions into two distinct groups, as explained below.

Simple Extractions

When the tooth being extracted is visible inside the mouth, we call this a simple tooth extraction. Tooth extractions in Colorado Springs begin by numbing the targeted tooth and its surrounding tissue so that you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the extraction process. Thereafter, Dr. Boals will extract the tooth. You should never feel any pain during your tooth extraction. So when you visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, you will have nothing to worry about!

Surgical Tooth Extraction

A surgical tooth extraction procedure is performed to remove teeth that haven’t erupted or have broken beneath the gum line. Dr. Boals can perform a surgical extraction or refer your case to an oral surgeon if necessary. To extract the tooth, your Colorado Springs dentist will make a small incision in the gum. The tooth may be removed in one piece or cut the tooth into two or more pieces before removing one segment at a time.

When Would I Need Tooth Extraction?

Many reasons may necessitate a tooth extraction procedure, including the following:

  • Badly decayed teeth
  • Delay by baby teeth to fall out so that permanent teeth can erupt
  • Dental infections that destroy most of a tooth or the surrounding bone
  • Extra teeth blocking some teeth from emerging normally
  • Orthodontic treatment (braces, for example) necessitating tooth extraction
  • Severe tooth damage that can’t be fixed with crowns and other restorative procedures
  • Wisdom teeth predicted to cause problems in the future may be removed

What Happens Before Tooth Extraction?

Before your tooth is removed, Dr. Boals will review your dental and medical history in addition to taking dental X-rays. The X-rays give your dentist in Colorado Springs vital information about the shape, length, and position of the tooth so that an appropriate plan can be made for the extraction process. If this review reveals that the procedure will be a complex one, Dr. Boals may refer you to a specialist. 

What Happens During the Tooth Removal?

Before the tooth is extracted, Dr. Boals will administer local anesthetic (for simple tooth extractions) or IV sedation in the case of surgical extractions. As a precautionary measure, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home once the procedure is over. This person should accompany you until the anesthesia wears off.

Once the sedative starts working, the team at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry will proceed to extract the tooth in the manner described earlier for simple extractions and surgical removal.

After the Tooth Extraction

Dr. Boals emphasizes that this is the most important phase of the procedure. It is vital that you follow the instructions given at our Colorado Springs dental office. We asked our friend Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker CO, for recommendations to keep in mind after the tooth extraction:

  • Bite down on a piece of gauze as instructed so that a clot can form and bleeding stops.
  • Don’t smoke, clean the nearby teeth or rinse your mouth vigorously within the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction.
  • Use an ice pack or take the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Boals. Your pain and discomfort should subside in a few days. If it worsens, call your Colorado Springs dentist immediately.
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity, such as jogging or going to the gym, during the first few days after the tooth removal.
  • Don’t use a straw or drink any hot fluids since these can melt or dislodge the clot at the extraction site.

Whether this is your first tooth extraction or your tenth, it’s important to follow before and after instructions given by your Colorado Springs dentist. If you need a professional opinion about tooth extractions, we are more than happy to help!

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

Most Common Dental Emergencies

common dental emergencies - Dr. Boals

Most Common Dental Emergencies

You brush after every meal, and you floss at least once a day. You even use a quality mouthwash to rinse debris free from your teeth. This can help to keep your teeth and your mouth healthier and save you from a number of dental concerns. However, try as you might, you simply can’t prepare for dental emergencies.

Just what qualifies as a dental emergency? We’ve gathered a list of the most common dental emergencies treated by our Colorado Springs dentist.

One or More Cracked Teeth

There are a number of ways that a tooth can become cracked. It could be that you bit down hard on something, like ice or nuts. It could also be that you suffer from bruxism, also known as teeth grinding experienced at night. 

A cracked tooth needs to be addressed by your dentist in Colorado Springs as soon as possible. Even if there is no pain, a cracked tooth is at high risk for decay sneaking in. If your tooth becomes infected, there is potential for tooth loss. 

Neglect and advanced decay will likely result in an extraction. If you are a patient who thinks you need your tooth pulled, visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for tooth removal in Colorado Springs.  

Accidents and Trauma to a Tooth

Trauma is one of the most common dental emergencies. It quite often leads to the loss of the tooth. Trauma to a tooth can result in a fracture that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It can also lead to the tooth being dislodged.

While a dislodge tooth is not a good thing, the good news is that you can potentially still save the tooth. There is a time crunch, however. Dr. Beth Herko, an emergency dentist in New Providence, NJ, recommends rinsing the tooth with milk or water. Then tuck it inside of your cheek as you make your way to the dentist.

If the tooth is still in good shape, it may be able to be reseated back into the gum. Your dentist will also be able to help treat any pain you’re experiencing.

Tooth and Gum Pain

There are a number of concerns that can result in extreme pain in a tooth or in your gums. It could be that you have an infection in a tooth or an abscess.

Tooth pain should never be ignored, as it could be a simple solution that can get you out of pain. Your Colorado Springs dentist will examine your mouth and may take a few X-rays to better understand what is going on. If necessary, during your emergency dental Colorado Springs visit, the tooth could be extracted if the damage is too severe.

Lost Crowns and Fillings

It is possible for fillings to fall out and crowns to loosen. If this does happen, it’s going to put the rest of your tooth at high risk for damage and advanced decay. If the crown, whether temporary or permanent, is dislodged, try to salvage it. You could potentially set it back over the tooth until you’re able to get to your dentist.

No matter your need, our dental patients in Colorado Springs, CO, can trust in our compassionate expertise. Contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry to schedule your appointment today.