Dental Extractions in Calgary

We know that all our patients would prefer to keep their natural teeth for as long as possible and at Beacon Smiles, we will always do our best to save your teeth.
Sometimes though, the only answer to maintain your dental health is a tooth extraction. If you do need a tooth removing, you can rest assured that we’ll make the whole process as stress-free as possible. Still you might be wondering, what does a tooth extraction involve, will it hurt, and why might you need one?

Why a tooth might need extracting?

A dental extraction will only be planned as a last resort if your tooth is not responding to treatment or is badly damaged. It may become necessary when:

• you have extensive decay
• there has been trauma to the tooth
• the tooth has an abscess and infection
• you have a cracked or split tooth
• advanced gum disease causes loose or damaged teeth

What happens during a dental extraction and will it hurt?

At your appointment, the first thing we’ll do is numb the tooth and the surrounding gum with a local anesthetic. This means that you feel no pain from the tooth during the treatment. Once we’ve checked that you are fully numb, we’ll use careful forces to remove the tooth. 

The only thing you’ll feel is slight pressure but no pain. Once we have removed the tooth, a piece of gauze will be placed over the socket and we’ll ask you to bite down to stop any bleeding and help the clotting process.
Sometimes, the tooth can be more of a challenge and may require a surgical approach; this is most often the case when it comes to wisdom teeth. It will still be painless, but just requires a surgical incision.

How should you take care of your teeth after the extraction

It’s really important that you follow our post extraction instructions in order to reduce the risk of complications. The main points are:

• Make sure you rest; no physical activity straight after
• No smoking or alcohol
• Eat a soft diet while you heal
• Avoid touching or poking the socket
• Start warm salty mouthwashes 24 hours after
• Use a cold pack for any swelling

How can I replace my tooth?

Depending on which tooth has been extracted, you may miss the tooth. However, If losing the tooth has caused chewing difficulties or appearance issues then don’t worry, there are various ways to replace your tooth. The three main options are a denture, bridgework, or a dental implant. We’ll discuss which would be best suited to you after your extraction. 

See Other: Why You Should Consider Braces