Tooth Extractions from the Dentist in Banff

Our first priority is to save your natural teeth whenever possible, but sometimes removal is necessary for your oral and overall wellbeing. Dr. Sajjad provide comfortable, efficient teeth extractions as needed.

When Teeth Require Removal

f a tooth cannot be saved through root canal — the last resort for a severely decayed tooth — extraction is required. Leaving an infected tooth in the gum line allows the bacteria to enter the bloodstream, so its prompt removal protects the surrounding teeth and gums and prevents the spread of infection throughout the body.

Extraction may also be necessary before orthodontic treatment in cases of extreme tooth crowding. By strategically removing an extra tooth, we can make room for your bite to be realigned with traditional or clear braces.

Most tooth extractions involve the removal of the wisdom teeth. Not everyone has this third set of molars, but people who do often experience discomfort and infection when the teeth do not emerge properly. Impaction, or the partial eruption of the tooth, can cause a number of issues, including…

• Pain in the back of the mouth
• Infection
• Increased risk of gum disease or tooth decay
• Tooth crowding

The dentist may check a teen’s mouth for the presence of wisdom teeth beneath the gum line around age 13 or 14. If the molars are present and likely to cause issues upon eruption, we may recommend early removal to prevent serious issues later on.

Process for a Tooth Extraction

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. A simple extraction is possible when the tooth is visible in the gum line and can be removed in one piece with a forceps-like tool. Because the procedure does not require sutures or a scalpel, recovery from a simple extraction is usually brief and causes minimal discomfort.

If the tooth is not visible in the gum or if it must be removed in pieces, a surgical extraction is required. Most wisdom tooth extractions are surgical. With this method, your dentist opens the gum, removes all bone and excess tissue that may be covering the tooth, and then removes it in two or more pieces. The gum is closed with sutures, which either dissolve on their own or need to be removed in a follow-up appointment. Recovery from a surgical extraction may take up to one week.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Once the tooth has been removed, you may experience slight bleeding or soreness in the gum. Follow your dentist’s after-care instructions carefully, taking all pain medications as prescribed and attending any scheduled follow-up appointments.

In the days following the extraction, you can speed up healing and reduce discomfort by…

• Maintaining a soft-foods diet
• Avoiding drinking from straws
• Rinsing with warm saltwater
• Brushing and flossing as usual, avoiding the treatment area
• Applying an ice pack in 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling

Schedule an Appointment Today!

If you have a bothersome tooth, or if you worry your child has wisdom teeth that need to come out, don’t put off the inevitable! We invite you to schedule an appointment with Banff Dentistry today.