Typically, you can expect your dentist to do everything they can to protect and preserve your natural teeth. However, if you have an overly decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be treated effectively with a filling or root canal, your dentist may have no choice but to extract it.
Feeling anxious about your upcoming procedure is natural, especially if you’ve heard some misleading information about it. Thankfully, your provider knows that many patients worry about having problematic teeth pulled and wants to set your mind at ease. Continue reading to learn about four common myths about tooth extractions that you shouldn’t believe!
Myth #1: It’s Going to Hurt
It’s easy to assume that removing a tooth inevitably requires a long and agonizing procedure, but that’s not the case! Before getting started, your dental team will apply a local anesthetic around the troublesome tooth so that your mouth doesn’t register discomfort. Then, if you’re still overly concerned or have a more complex extraction, they can also provide sedatives to ensure you remain calm and relaxed throughout your appointment. That means you won’t have to worry about potential adverse effects until the meds wear off.
Myth #2: Recovery Is Complicated
Feeling some mild to moderate aches and inflammation for a few days while you heal is normal. It can take one to three weeks to recover, depending on whether you had a simple extraction or required surgery, though many patients can resume their usual activities after just a day or two.
During this time, your mouth must form a blood clot over the site to prevent a potentially painful complication known as dry socket. Following post-op instructions in detail can help you recover as intended.
Myth #3: Extraction Is Always the Best Treatment
You might think that removing an injured or infected tooth is the only way to address the issue, but that’s not always true. Depending on the extent of the damage, sometimes a root canal procedure can clean out the decay or disease. Then, a dental crown can be provided to protect and preserve it to restore its functionality and appearance simultaneously.
However, if your dentist recommends an extraction, there’s a good chance that your pearly white is too far gone for other options to repair it.
Myth #4: I Don’t Need to Replace My Extracted Tooth
Some patients don’t feel a need to fill in the gap in their grin once their problematic tooth is pulled. But did you know that your jawbone can lose up to 25% of its mass once it’s gone? Your roots stimulate new bone growth in your jaw every time you bite down to keep it active and healthy. Without one in place, it starts to thin and eventually becomes too frail to support your remaining teeth.
That’s why it’s important to replace your extracted tooth as soon as possible, even if it’s somewhere other people can’t see it. Dental implants are an ideal restoration because they include a titanium rod inserted into your jawbone to function like a root.
If you’re still concerned about your procedure, let your dentist know. They’re usually more than happy to take the time to answer any questions or provide as much information as you need to feel confident moving forward.
About the Practice
At Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas, you benefit from a team of dentists who are passionate about helping people of all backgrounds and ages build their most beautiful, healthy smiles. With a dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon on staff, they can provide a full range of services to meet all your needs conveniently under one roof. They offer same-day appointments for emergencies and have sedation available so that if you have a troublesome tooth, you don’t have to wait for relief. If you need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (469) 529-6016.