Sometimes a patient’s tooth is so infected and damaged that the best way to take care of the tooth is to extract it. If you have a tooth that is severely decayed or damaged, Dr. Renu Michelsen, Orange, CA, dentist will treat you with the utmost care during your tooth extraction.
Tooth Extractions in Orange
Having a tooth pulled in Orange, CA, doesn’t have to be stressful. We want your treatment to be as comfortable as possible and make sure you have a pain-free experience. Thanks to sedation and anesthetics, tooth extraction can be easy and painless. We also serve the Tustin area.
We may also recommend that you take an antibiotic to prevent infection.
Care After Tooth Removal
After your tooth is pulled, you will be asked to refrain from the following for a few days:
- Smoking.
- Drinking through straws.
- Drinking soda.
- Brushing or rinsing too hard.
- Intense physical activity.
Tooth Extraction Services
Tooth Replacement
After your tooth extraction, we may talk to you about tooth replacement options. If you are concerned about the aesthetic of your teeth, Dr. Michelsen might recommend a dental bridge or a dental implant. Bridges fill the space between natural teeth using crowns, and dental implants are permanently placed in the jaw using titanium rods.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are often a cause of problems for our patients. Over time, the diet of human beings has become less harsh, and we no longer need an extra set of teeth. Instead of being useful, our wisdom teeth cause crowding, decay, and bite problems.
Many people choose to have all four wisdom teeth removed early on to avoid these problems. But if you have wisdom teeth that have come in and are now experiencing swelling, pain, or other discomforts, you may need an extraction. Wisdom teeth removal can provide just the relief you need.
Call our dentist in Orange today!
When you have teeth that are causing you pain or problems, call our office to schedule an appointment. We want you to feel better as soon as possible, and our team will serve you with a smile. Give us a call in Orange if you live in nearby Tustin, CA.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
After your tooth extraction, we may talk to you about tooth replacement options. If you are concerned about the aesthetic of your teeth, Dr. Michelsen might recommend a dental bridge or a dental implant. Bridges fill the space between natural teeth using crowns, and dental implants are permanently placed in the jaw using titanium rods.
Are you stressing about your upcoming tooth extractions in Orange, CA? There’s no need to! Thanks to the expertise of our dentists here at Michelsen Dental, you can rest easy knowing that your treatment will be as smooth, comfortable, and painless as possible. We want you to feel completely comfortable and well-informed before, during, and after your tooth extraction. To that end, we’ve answered a handful of frequently asked questions regarding tooth extractions below.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
As lifelike and durable as modern tooth replacements like dental implants are, nothing compares to the pearly whites you were born with. That’s why your dentist in Orange, CA will typically only recommend a tooth extraction when there are no viable options to save your tooth.
The answer to whether there’s an alternative to removing the tooth depends on the reason why an extraction is being recommended. For example, if the tooth is extremely decayed, then root canal therapy might be able to preserve it. However, if we’ve already discussed an extraction, then chances are slim that the tooth can be saved. Rest assured that in this situation, extracting the tooth is the healthiest option for your smile as a whole.
How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?
Following your aftercare instructions is crucial, but equally as important is making sure you’re prepared for your tooth extraction. Before your procedure, feel free to ask us any questions you may have! If we have any specific guidelines, such as picking up prescription pain medications or only having water the morning of, be sure to follow those. We also highly suggest having a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your extraction, as the anesthetic may make it unsafe for you to drive for the next several hours.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
If you’re having a tooth removed that was located in the back of the mouth, you might not see the purpose in replacing it. After all, no one else can see it. However, each of your teeth is vital to the overall health of your mouth and even your whole body. When a back tooth is lost, chewing healthy foods can become difficult, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Not to mention, the surrounding teeth can drift out of alignment.
For this reason, we always recommend (with the exception of wisdom teeth extractions in Orange, CA) that you schedule an appointment with us after you’ve healed from your tooth extraction to discuss replacement options.
How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dentures?
While it’s important to replace missing teeth in a timely manner, we’ll have to wait for your mouth to fully heal after getting your teeth extracted before we can begin the dentures process. In general, it will take around six to eight weeks to design, create, and place your final denture.
After your mouth has healed, we’ll take impressions, which are sent to a partnered dental lab. The experienced lab technicians will craft your prosthetic teeth to match the size, shape, color, and proportions of your natural ones. Once we’ve received your denture, you’ll return to our office to try it on, and we’ll make any final adjustments if need be. Then, we’ll teach you how to care for your dentures to ensure your new smile will remain in great shape for years to come!