Tooth Extractions – Califon, NJ
A Last Resort for Badly Damaged Teeth
Dr. O’Connell offers a wide range of emergency dentistry treatments and will always let you know what options are available for saving a damaged tooth. However, sometimes a tooth extraction in Califon is the only viable choice. Rest assured that we will put your safety and comfort first during every step of the process. Do you think that you might need to have a tooth removed soon? If so, we urge you to call us right away!
Why Choose Califon Dental Arts for Tooth Extractions?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Team That Treats You Like Family
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
Do you have an infected tooth that’s beyond the point of being saved with root canal treatment? Is there a severely damaged tooth that can’t be repaired? Do you have crowded teeth that are stopping you from having an orthodontic treatment performed? Are you planning on getting dentures but still have a few teeth remaining? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then there’s a good chance that you could end up needing a tooth extraction. The best way to find out is by scheduling an exam with our dedicated dentist, Dr. O’Connell.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
The process of removing your tooth will depend largely on one thing: if the tooth in question has broken through the gumline. If it has, then we will intervene with a simple extraction, which involves us gently rocking the tooth loose with forceps until it’s ready to come out. If it hasn’t, then a surgical extraction is better. In that case, we will make a small incision in your gums to access the tooth. Then, we will remove it in sections to minimize bone loss. In both cases, the first step is numbing your mouth, so you won’t feel any pain in the process.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Before you leave our office, we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help the recovery period go as quickly and painlessly as possible, including:
- Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed.
- Avoiding strenuous activities, like lifting weights and running.
- Sticking to extremely soft foods, like plain yogurt.
- Brushing and flossing carefully to avoid irritation.
- Not using tobacco products.
- Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
Since tooth extractions aren’t as commonplace as other restorative treatments, like dental fillings, it’s only natural to have questions. The good news is that you can bring any and all questions about your oral health to our team! We’d be happy to provide you with the answers you’re looking for so you can feel completely calm and confident moving forward.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
You can be rest assured that we’ll do everything possible to salvage your troublesome tooth. We only recommend a tooth extraction when other treatment methods won’t solve the problem – typically because a tooth is too compromised to support a restoration, or an infection could spread to your healthy pearly whites.
“You need a tooth extraction” is not something most patients want to hear, which is understandable! However, after the procedure, you can expect relief from any aches the tooth was causing and restored oral health.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
We have three main options available for a tooth replacement in Califon! All of our restorations use quality materials, enabling us to provide you with a seamless smile and pleasing dental aesthetics. You are welcome to contact us for more detailed information, but here’s a general overview of what we offer:
- Dental bridges. Two “caps” act as supporting anchors for this restoration, and are attached to healthy teeth on either side of your dental gap. The pieces between these anchors will fill the gap as your tooth replacements, so that you can eat and speak more comfortably.
- Full dentures can replace an entire arch of teeth by resting on your gums and relying on suction to stay in place. Partial dentures, meanwhile, use metal clasps to connect to your remaining natural teeth. This way, they can effectively fill any number of gaps in your smile.
- Dental implants. These are a relatively new invention but have quickly become a crowd favorite! Dental implants connect to your jawbone for support, making them more stable and powerful than any other restoration to date.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
We don’t recommend leaving a tooth socket empty after a tooth extraction in Califon – even if the gap is towards the back of your mouth.
Replacing a tooth has more value than simply filling out your aesthetics. Normally, a dental root connects your tooth to your jawbone, and transfers stimulation to the bone as you chew and bite down. This stimulation signals to the brain that your jawbone is still in use and requires a flow of nutrients. Thus, when a tooth is missing, stimulation is no longer transferred, and your jawbone will actually start to deteriorate. This causes complicated oral health problems down the road and can even affect your facial features.
Replacing the tooth is the best way to mitigate this problem, and also prevents any remaining teeth from shifting and provides more comfort while eating and speaking.
How Long After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dentures?
It depends on how quickly your mouth heals, but on average, patients can receive dentures within six to eight weeks after a tooth extraction in Califon.
After the recovery period, we’ll take impressions of your mouth so we can ensure a good fit for your dentures. We’ll then send this information off to a dental lab, where skilled technicians will get to work crafting your custom replacement. This part of the process takes about a week or two to complete, which contributes to the timeline estimate above. Once we receive your dentures from the lab, though, all that’s left to do is have you try them on, make any final adjustments, and instruct you on the best way to take care of them!