When the condition of your tooth is such that it cannot be predictably treated, we can help you achieve the most healthful result with an extraction that resolves your discomfort, controls the infection, and protects the remaining teeth of your smile. Tooth extractions at Prostho Endo Dental Group are performed only after a thorough diagnosis and consideration of the treatment plan that can follow this procedure. Our doctors see extraction as part of a larger treatment plan to preserve the health, function, and confidence that is associated with your oral health. If you have a tooth in North Bethesda, MD, that is in need of extraction, our focus is on making sure the process of diagnosis and removal is informed, comfortable, and deliberate, as we plan ahead for the future restoration of your tooth.
Tooth Extraction As An Option For You
Tooth extractions are usually recommended by the Prostho Endo Dental Group team only when it makes the most sense for the health, comfort, and longevity of your teeth. Several factors can contribute to the need for the removal of a tooth. It can be a tooth that is badly decayed, broken, suffering from periodontal disease, or that has been treated before and does not respond predictably to endodontic or restorative treatment.
The process of determining which teeth require extraction begins with a thorough assessment of the situation. Our doctors review your symptoms, perform a clinical exam, and use x-rays if needed to assess the anatomy of the root and condition of the bone and tooth itself. We can then inform you and discuss options that are appropriate before we remove the tooth.
Protecting Your Oral Health With Future Treatments
Removing a bad tooth can prevent the spread of infection to other teeth, bone, and gum. A tooth that is seriously infected and damaged can cause an infection that can spread, and it can be a major factor that affects how the bite will feel. The Prostho Endo Dental Group team is focused on not just removing a single problem tooth, but on protecting all of the teeth and gums in your mouth. This allows us to determine the impact that the extraction of the tooth will have on the overall balance of your oral health in the future. We can also educate our patients on how the removal of a tooth can benefit the long-term health of the remaining teeth.
Treating Infections, Damage, & Non-Restorable Teeth
There are cases where the tooth is so damaged that we cannot predictably treat it. This can be because there is not enough structure remaining to place a filling or crown on it. Other times, a tooth that has a serious infection in it can spread that infection to the bone and gums. Common reasons for recommending extraction include:
- A tooth broken through the gums and too close to the root.
- Tooth decay has resulted in a tooth that cannot be restored predictably.
- A tooth with a serious infection that does not respond well to endodontic and restorative treatment.
- Significant bone loss surrounding a tooth.
- Fracture to the root or tooth after previous endodontic treatment.
Our team at Prostho Endo Dental Group includes dentists who have advanced training in both endodontic and prosthodontic procedures, and we know that we are in the best position to tell you how we might be able to save the tooth or how a tooth might be removed.
Preservation Of The Bone After Removal Of The Tooth
When a tooth is removed, the bone that supported the tooth may change shape in the area of the tooth. This is normal. If there is to be an immediate or future treatment to replace the missing tooth, bone preservation in this area can be very important. Depending on your needs, you may need bone preservation and grafting done in the extraction socket to preserve the bone.
This can be done in preparation for the replacement of the tooth at a future time. We will help you understand the options that will be appropriate and necessary for your treatment in advance of the tooth removal. Grafting isn’t required during every extraction, but it is often appropriate, and it can make a big difference in how the results turn out.
Planning For Future Tooth Replacement
Tooth extraction should always be tied to a plan for what happens after. It is generally not a good idea to just leave a space where a tooth used to be and not have a plan in place. Your other teeth could shift over time, you could experience uneven pressure during chewing and biting, and/or your bone could deteriorate in that area. That’s why the Prostho Endo Dental Group discusses your replacement options prior to, or soon after, your extraction, if possible.
Your plan for replacement might include a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture, or something else, based on the needs of your mouth, your goals, and your personal budget and schedule. The doctors at Prostho Endo Dental Group take the time to explain to you how each of these options can work, how the treatment course may appear, and what option might be best for you in the long run. If you’re located in North Bethesda, MD, this kind of planning can help you feel like you’re not losing a tooth, but rather beginning a new phase in your restorative and oral health plan.
Comfortable Care Through Advanced Techniques
We know that comfort is an important part of the extraction process. We utilize modern techniques, advanced planning, and a gentle chairside manner to make the extraction procedure as comfortable as possible. Before you start your appointment, we’ll let you know what to expect, answer any questions you might have, and we’ll take our time to ensure that you feel comfortable and that the area is well numbed.
By using advanced imaging and careful techniques, the doctors at Prostho Endo Dental Group can better evaluate your tooth’s specific position, root, and anatomy, as well as adjacent structures, which can then help lead to a more controlled procedure with as little trauma to adjacent tissue as possible. Throughout your appointment, our team will be checking in with you and going at a pace that ensures that your comfort and well-being are prioritized.
What To Expect During Recovery
When patients recover following a tooth extraction, it often goes smoothly. You might experience some initial soreness and perhaps a little bit of bleeding. But in the vast majority of cases, you’ll begin to feel better in a fairly short period of time.
We will go over recovery instructions with you specifically after your extraction. You’ll receive instructions regarding the types of food you should eat, how to take care of your mouth, what activities to avoid or continue, how and when to take your prescribed medication, and much more, based on the specific procedure you just had. In general, we recommend that patients do not drink using a straw, don’t smoke, don’t vigorously rinse, or do anything else that might dislodge the healing site.
The key to ensuring the proper healing and recovery process is to keep the clot that forms in the space where the tooth is from becoming dislodged, and to maintain a clean environment without disturbing the site. If you experience any discomfort that feels unusual or gets worse rather than better, our team is available to provide further advice as well as determine if further treatment is needed.
Comprehensive Treatment Planning After Extraction
At Prostho Endo Dental Group, the job doesn’t end after the tooth is removed. The doctors look at extraction care with the entire picture in mind, allowing them to explain to the patient how their tooth extraction might fit into a broader course of dental care. This might mean simply monitoring your healing progress over time, bone preservation planning, implant placement coordination, restoration planning, or bite planning for the future.
This kind of treatment planning is particularly helpful for patients who have complex dental situations, prior endodontic treatment, missing teeth, or concerns about how they will bite and chew after the tooth extraction is complete. By combining their precision and diagnostic abilities with their ability to help the patient see how this current treatment plan fits into the overall restorative and health plan, the team at Prostho Endo Dental Group helps patients to know exactly what they can anticipate and to make fully informed decisions.
The Prostho Endo Dental Group offers you the opportunity to be cared for during a tooth extraction procedure in a way that’s deliberate, thoughtful, and focused on your oral health now and in the future. Whether your tooth has to be extracted due to infection, damage, or a tooth that has become irreparable, we’re here to help you feel informed and empowered about your dental health.
Prevention Today, Lasting Smiles Tomorrow
Choosing Prostho Endo Dental Group means you are choosing a comprehensive, individualized, long-term preventive treatment. We look beyond what is showing on a patient’s exam today and look at what factors may cause problems in the future, such as their periodontal status, bite, risk level, and wellness history, among other issues.
With our advanced diagnostic tools and technology and patient-focused care, we will help you keep your smile healthy before it becomes a big issue. Contact us for more information about how Prostho Endo Dental Group in North Bethesda, MD, provides comprehensive preventive dental care you can count on, and to learn more about what we can do to help you today.