Ideally, we would all have a health set of teeth that lasted a lifetime. Unfortunately, that is not always possible. Sometimes a tooth becomes compromised and must be extracted and replaced. At Bliss Dental Group, we have the expertise and technologies to restore the health and appearance of your smile after tooth loss.
When the health of a tooth has been compromised beyond reasonable treatment options, it may be necessary to extract that tooth. Another reason for an extraction might be to relieve severe overcrowding of teeth.
Here are some of the most common reasons for extracting a tooth:
If left untreated, tooth decay can seriously harm the structure of a tooth. Untreated decay on one tooth can also affect surrounding teeth.
Teeth might be extracted to relieve severe overcrowding of teeth which might affect a person’s bite. Children or teenagers may need to have teeth extracted ahead of corrective orthodontic treatments.
Advanced gum disease can cause deterioration of the structures which keep teeth in place, causing teeth to shift or become loose. Teeth affected by gum disease may be extracted to be replaced with a more stable dental implant.
Accidents happen and sometimes result in tooth breakage. If a tooth is broken too close to the gumline, the remaining tooth structure might not be able to support a dental crown. In order to replace the tooth, the remainder of the broken tooth may need to be extracted.
While most commonly associated with wisdom teeth, impacted teeth are teeth which have not erupted past the gumline or have only partially erupted. Impacted teeth can disrupt healthy tooth alignment and often need to be extracted.
Depending on the particular tooth, tooth extraction is a relatively simple procedure that can be done right in our office. It can usually be done in a single appointment and takes from 20 to 40 minutes from start to finish.
When extracting a tooth, the first step is numbing the area around the tooth to be extracted. This guarantees that the extraction itself will not be painful for the patient.
Once the area is numb, our dentist will use special dental instruments to gently loosen the tooth and then remove it from its socket. Once the tooth has been removed, gauze will be applied to the site and the patient will need to apply pressure by biting down so that a protective blood clot will form over the site of the extracted tooth.
The recovery times for extractions are short. The site usually stops bleeding within 24 hours and when post-extraction instructions are closely followed, the risk of complications is minimal. There may be times when a tooth extraction requires the expertise of a specialized dentist, like a periodontist or an endodontist. If we are unable to perform the extraction in our office, we can refer you to one of our trusted providers.
Once the site of an extracted tooth has healed, it can be replaced with an implant-supported crown. Depending on the site of the extraction, replacing an extracted tooth is highly recommended in order to maintain the proper function and alignment of your bite and the appearance of your smile.
As the name implies, implant-supported prosthetics are replacement dental structures that are supported by dental implants. The dental structures that are best supported by implants are crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Implant-supported crowns are dental prosthetics which replace a single tooth. When supported by an implant, a crown can blend in seamlessly with surrounding teeth and function just like a natural tooth.
The crowns we use in an implant-supported prosthetic are milled right in our office, using our CEREC same-day crown technology. These crowns offer a custom fit and can be perfectly color-matched to surrounding teeth.
Implant-supported bridges are dental prosthetics which replace on or more teeth using two implant-supported crowns. The use of implant technology allows for the bridge to rest securely along the gumline and require fewer implants.
Our bridges are also created with our CEREC technology. Based on a precise digital scan of your mouth, we can create a bridge of prosthetic teeth which look as natural as your own teeth.
Implant-supported dentures are dental prosthetics which replace all of the teeth in either the top or bottom arch. Unlike traditional dentures which can be removed, implant supported dentures are permanently attached to your jawbone with dental implants. Implanted dentures act like real teeth and won’t slip or shift as you eat or talk. All of these dental prosthetic options start with dental implants. Dental implants are made of titanium steel and are secured directly into your jawbone. Depending on the health of your jawbone, it may take several appointments to securely place the implants.
Once the implants are in place, the prosthetic can be attached. With proper care and diligent oral health care, prosthetics can function just as your normal teeth would for many years, restoring your confidence in the look and function of your smile!
However it happens, tooth loss can be a stressful experience. At Bliss Dental Group, we want to make that experience less stressful for our patients. From tooth extraction to implant-supported prosthetics, we can help you restore the beauty and quality of your smile!
If you need specialty dental services, like extractions or dental prosthetics, call our office today to schedule a consultation!
