Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions in Spotsylvania, VA

At Smile Lake Anna, our priority is to help you restore, save, and repair your natural teeth as often as possible. However, there are times when tooth removal becomes necessary.

Our dental practice offers tooth extractions in Spotsylvania, VA, for patients whose natural teeth cannot be saved. Our team of highly-trained dentists and hygienists will ensure that your experience is comfortable and stress-free.

What is Pulp Therapy?

Pediatric pulp therapy—also called a baby root canal, pulpotomy, or pulpectomy—is an endodontic treatment for children that aims to restore the health and function of baby teeth (and sometimes permanent teeth) that have been damaged by dental disease or tooth decay.

Pulp therapy is very similar to root canal therapy, except that root canal therapy is typically performed on adults and pulp therapy is a pediatric treatment performed on the primary teeth or permanent teeth of children.

The pulp of the tooth is the center part of each tooth that is made up of the nerves, tissue, and blood vessels that are vital to the health of the tooth. In children, the pulp of the tooth can be damaged due to poor oral hygiene habits, dental trauma, or something known as “baby bottle tooth decay,” which is when the tooth is damaged due to excessive exposure to sweet and sugary liquids.

If your child has an infected tooth, our dentist may recommend an endodontic procedure known as pulp therapy to restore health to the pulp chamber and strengthen and restore your child’s primary teeth and prevent other problems like early periodontal disease.

When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

Tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth from its socket. It may be performed because of the following reasons:

Dental Decay

When you have dental decay, bacteria start eating away at the enamel on your teeth. If this continues, the pulp chamber and the nerve of the diseased tooth eventually become infected. At this point, the only option left is to extract the tooth.

Decayed Roots

Sometimes, if the tooth is severely decayed, the tooth roots cannot hold up any longer. We will then recommend removing the tooth.

To Prepare for Orthodontics

If you have crowded teeth or if your baby teeth aren't falling out properly, you may need to have some teeth extracted before you can get braces.

Periodontal Disease

If you suffer from periodontal disease, your gums begin to recede and pull away from the roots of your permanent teeth. Eventually, they will detach from the jawbone. In this case, you may need to have one or more teeth removed.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last permanent teeth to appear in your mouth and usually come in during early adulthood, between the ages of 17-25. Wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended if they become impacted or don't erupt properly.

Types of Tooth Extraction Procedure

There are two types of dental extraction procedures: simple and surgical tooth extraction.

Simple Extraction

Simple dental extractions are usually done for minor problems such as broken fillings for cavities. It involves the use of dental forceps to gently loosen your tooth from its socket. Simple extraction usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

Surgical Tooth Extraction

During surgical extractions, our dentist will make incisions in the gums to access your tooth. This surgical procedure is performed when you have severe tooth decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, or when the tooth is broken below the gumline. Surgical extractions are also required for wisdom tooth removal.

Choose Us for Your Comprehensive Dental Care Needs

Our highly trained dental professionals offer comprehensive dental procedures for all aspects of your oral health, including dental extractions and wisdom tooth removal. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques for all of our surgical procedures to ensure that each patient receives the best dental treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

How To Care for Your Mouth After Tooth Extraction Removal

The dentist will send you home with a list of instructions on how to care for your extraction site after your tooth has been removed. It’s important to follow all instructions after a dental procedure to ensure your mouth heals quickly and properly.

Avoid any strenuous activities for at least 2-3 days.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth, and do your best to avoid the extraction site so you don’t damage the blood clot.
Avoid smoking after tooth extraction. Smoking slows down the healing process.
Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages as this can break down the blood clot in your tooth socket. When this happens, you can get a painful condition known as a dry socket.
Use ice packs to help minimize dental pain and swelling in the affected area.
Stick to soft foods as much as possible for the first few days following your tooth removal. Avoid solid food like nuts, popcorn, and other crunchy items.

CONTACT Smile Lake Anna FOR TOOTH REMOVAL IN SPOTSYLVANIA, VA

Smile Lake Anna offers dental care for both children and adults. Our endodontic services include common procedures such as pulpotomies and pulpectomies, as well as root canal procedures. Dr. Clark is a board-certified dentist with experience in pediatric dentistry. Our friendly staff will provide the highest-quality services for your child and ensure the experience is a positive one. Contact us today to find out about our dental services for children.