Tooth Extractions – Greenville, TX

Remove Ruined Teeth to Preserve Your Smile

Although Dr. Garrad typically does everything she can to prevent potential problems and protect your grin, sometimes removing ruined teeth is necessary to preserve your smile. Injured ones are vulnerable to decay and disease, which can affect your gum tissue and jawbone if left unaddressed. If your tooth is too broken to be fixed with fillings or a root canal, then extracting it may be the only remaining solution.

Continue reading to learn more about what to expect from this procedure, and feel free to contact us for additional information.  

Why Choose Stone Street Dental for Tooth Extractions?

  • Advanced Technology to Enhance Patient Comfort
  • Multiple Sedative Options
  • Flexible Financing & In-House Memberships Available

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

Man holding one hand to inflamed jaw while holding up extracted tooth

Sometimes, taking a troublesome tooth out of your mouth is necessary before its decay or disease can spread, but that’s not the only circumstance that might require an extraction. Dr. Garrad might also recommend this treatment for other concerns, including:

  • Removing the culprit behind a severe or persistent toothache.
  • Making space for orthodontics to fit and to be able to maintain the results.
  • Ensuring that another restoration, like a full set of dentures, can be successful.
  • Eradicating the source of an impaction or infection.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Closeup of a woman’s tooth being grasped by forceps

Many patients worry that having a tooth taken out will inevitably be long and agonizing, but that’s fortunately not the case. Before we start, our team will apply a local anesthetic and provide sedation as needed to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed the entire time. Then, Dr. Garrad uses a device known as an elevator to gently lift the tooth from its socket so it’s easier to remove.

Then, for a simple extraction, she’ll gently grasp the troublesome tooth with forceps and wiggle it free a little at a time. However, impacted, infected, or difficult-to-access teeth might require a surgical extraction that involves making a small incision in your gums to access the tooth in question. Then, it may need to be broken into small pieces to be taken out safely.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Toy forceps grasping flat model tooth from a lineup on a light blue background

After your appointment, it’s essential that your mouth forms a blood clot over the site to protect the underlying nerves and bone tissue from harm. If it becomes damaged or dislodged, you can develop a painful complication called dry socket.

To heal as quickly and effectively as possible, we recommend:

  • Taking any prescribed medications, like pain meds or antibiotics, exactly as ordered.
  • Don’t brush or floss right away. Instead, for the first 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water to disinfect your mouth and reduce swelling.
  • Drink plenty of water, but avoid straws. The force of suction can hurt your blood clot.
  • Avoid strenuous exercises or activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure.
  • Elevate your head at night to rest more soundly.
  • Don’t smoke or drink alcohol because they can keep your body from delivering essential nutrients to your mouth to fight infection.