Having a tooth pulled may not be pleasant, but it’s often necessary–either to make way for a permanent tooth, or when a tooth becomes infected, decayed, or otherwise jeopardizes your health. Our Beaufort, SC dentists provide affordable and professional extraction services to ensure you get appropriate care before, during, and after a tooth extraction procedure.
Before Tooth Extraction
In most cases, a tooth extraction results in only mild pain. If you’re concerned about sensitivity, ask a member of our team about a local anesthetic to numb the area. If you need more than one tooth removed, or if the tooth is in a particularly sensitive area of the mouth, Dr. Covington may suggest a general anesthetic so that you sleep throughout the extraction procedure.
During a Tooth Extraction
First, Dr. Covington will numb the gum with a local anesthetic. Once you’re comfortable, the dentist will gently loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth. After the tooth becomes sufficiently loosened from the gum, the she will extract it, placing gauze over the socket to prevent excess bleeding. You may be asked to bite down on the gauze, holding it in place while a clot forms.
After a Tooth Extraction
If your tooth is removed for reasons other than to make way for a permanent tooth, your dentist may recommend a replacement. Otherwise, the teeth surrounding the now empty space may shift and lead to potential problems. There are many different replacement methods available. Dr. Covington will discuss your options and recommend the best one based on your needs. It may be necessary to wait until your mouth has completely healed before having your tooth replaced.
Replace Missing Teeth
Having missing teeth can affect your smile, the shape of your lower face, and your ability to eat certain foods. It can also cause bone loss and an unbalanced bite. An unbalanced bite will lead to TMJ symptoms and possibly the need of TMJ Treatment. After a tooth is extracted, Dr. Covington will recommend dental implants to replace your missing teeth. Implants are the number one recommended solution to missing teeth. They are the most natural-looking and advanced solution when compared to other teeth restorations. Dental implants are the only solution that permanently replaces teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
At Lowcountry Family Dentistry we are happy to provide a comprehensive evaluation on whether it’s time to remove your Wisdom teeth. When that time come, you’ll need a referral as we generally refer the removal of Wisdom teeth to an oral surgeon.
Have a Toothache, Let Us Help
If a toothache is bothering you, we can properly diagnosis and recommend a treatment that will alleviate the pain. We do everything possible to save your existing teeth but there are times where removal of the tooth is your best option. Tooth pain is no fun and our team understands. That’s why our Beaufort dentist office offers appointments for emergency dental care for just these types of cases. Simply call our office at 843-986-0177 and we can typically see you within a few hours.