Get Help With Troublesome Teeth
If you think your wisdom teeth need to be removed, or you have a tooth that’s been seriously damaged by gum disease, tooth decay, or an oral injury, removing the tooth completely may be your best option. Tooth extractions from Dr. Nathan Williamson can provide you with relief from pain and discomfort, and prevent further complications. Contact our Columbia Dentists for a consultation, or learn more about tooth extractions below.
When Do I Need A Tooth Extraction?
The most common reason for tooth extractions is the improper growth of wisdom teeth. The wisdom teeth erupt much later than our other teeth.
This final set of four molars usually emerges between the ages of 17-25. Many patients do not have enough space in their mouths for these teeth, so the growth of wisdom teeth can cause serious oral health issues, such as damage to the surrounding teeth or a higher risk of tooth infections. For these reasons, the wisdom teeth are often pulled after they erupt.
Tooth extractions may also be necessary if a tooth is too damaged to be saved. It may be easier and more effective to simply remove a tooth that’s infected, damaged, or has been destroyed by gum disease. If you think that you may need an extraction, contact Williamson Dental right away.
Does It Hurt To Have A Tooth Pulled?
No. Having a tooth extracted at Williamson Dental does not hurt. Your mouth will be completely numb during the process, which ensures that you will not feel any discomfort.
However, it is normal to experience some pain and discomfort after your procedure, once your numbing wears off. Dr. Williamson will provide you with instructions on how to care for your mouth and mitigate your discomfort. Pain typically peaks within 1-3 days, and will then begin to subside until you feel no discomfort. This usually takes somewhere between 1-2 weeks.
If you are still experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort after 1-2 weeks, this is not normal, and could indicate a complication with your extraction. You should contact Dr. Williamson for a follow-up appointment right away to get the help you need.
Should I Replace A Missing Tooth With An Implant?
Replacing wisdom teeth is not necessary, since they do not affect the functionality of your bite or the appearance of your smile. But if you’ve lost another tooth due to an oral injury, gum disease, an infection, or for any other reason, Dr. Nathan Williamson may recommend that you have it replaced with a dental implant.
Using a dental implant to replace a missing tooth is the best way to restore your smile and your bite. Implants look and feel completely natural, last 30+ years with proper care, and require no special care beyond regular brushing and flossing.
Not only that, but dental implants prevent jaw bone loss. After you lose a tooth, you can lose up to 25% of the jaw bone mass below the tooth within 1 year. This is because the root of the tooth isn’t stimulating your jaw bone through the force of biting and chewing. This results in deterioration of the bone.
Dental implants allow you to avoid this issue. The implant stimulates the jaw bone and preserves it, so you will not lose any of your jaw bone, and your smile and bite will remain strong and healthy.
