Goodlettsville Dental Services

What Is It?

A dental extraction, also referred to as exodontia, is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. At Rivergate Dental Care in Goodlettsville, we specialize in dental extractions.

What It’s Used For?

There can be many reasons behind why one wants to go for dental extractions. The most common reason behind tooth extraction is a damaged tooth, which cannot be repaired in any way.

The other reasons include:

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.
• People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
• People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted.
• People receiving cancer drugs may develop infected teeth. These drugs weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infection. Infected teeth may need to be extracted.
• People receiving an organ transplant may need some teeth extracted if the teeth could become sources of infection after the transplant. People with organ transplants have a high risk of infection because they must take drugs that decrease or suppress the immune system.
• Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted either before or after they come in. They commonly come in during the late teens or early 20s. These teeth often get stuck in the jaw (impacted) and do not come in. They need to be removed if they are decayed or cause pain. Some wisdom teeth are blocked by other teeth or may not have enough room to come in completely. This can irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling. In this case, the tooth must be removed.

Types of extraction?

Extractions are often categorized as “simple” or “surgical”.

Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anesthetic, and require only the use of instruments to elevate and / or grasp the visible portion of the tooth.

Surgical extractions – they involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. Surgical extractions almost always require an incision.

What happens after the extraction is done?

Bleeding is normal after an extraction. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this. This may be repeated several times till the bleeding stops. Swelling and pain are also normal and are to be expected.

Dr. Weaver or one of his associates will give you prescriptions to alleviate the discomfort. In some cases antibiotics might also be prescribed. Soft food or even a liquid diet will be recommended for the initial 24 hours. Hot fluids and alcoholic beverages are to be avoided at any cost during the first 24 hours. After the extraction brushing the teeth near the extraction site should be avoided for about a day. After that gentle cleaning can be resumed. If the bleeding persists 6-8 hrs after the extraction then Dr. Weaver should to be informed.

At Rivergate Dental Care, we’ve treated patients from all over the Nashville area – including Goodlettsville, White House, Madison, Hendersonville, Gallatin and beyond! Give us a call today and soon you will be waking up to a new smile!1 800 FIX MY TEETH