Tooth Extractions – Kerrville, TX
Safely Removing Teeth to Protect Your Oral Health
At our Kerrville family dental office, saving teeth is our favorite part of dentistry. However, there are times when a tooth is too badly damaged to save. Leaving these damaged teeth in the mouth could actually cause even more damage, especially if decay or an infection is present. In situations where a tooth extraction is recommended, Dr. Butler and our team will ensure your comfort, and if necessary, we can even plan to replace the tooth with a dental implant once it’s extracted to rebuild your smile to be even healthier. Call us today to learn more about this procedure or schedule an emergency appointment if you’re in pain.
Why Choose Carroll R. Butler, DDS Family Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
- State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Imaging Technology
- Dentist with Several Decades of Experience
- Implant Placement & Restoration Available
When are Tooth Extractions Necessary?
There are many reasons why teeth may need to be extracted, but gum disease is actually one of the most common. Additionally, if tooth decay has damaged the root beyond repair, the tooth may not be able to survive in the mouth any longer. If you suffered an oral injury that significantly damaged or cracked the tooth, there may not be a restoration effective enough to restore it. Furthermore, teeth may be removed if they are trapped underneath gum tissue or causing overcrowding, which can make the bite misaligned.
The Tooth Extraction Process
A tooth extraction is a relatively simple process. In many cases, patients are able to comfortably undergo the procedure without sedation, just with the use of local anesthesia, which numbs the area that Dr. Butler will be operating on. Once the area is fully numb, Dr. Butler will gently lift the affected tooth out of its socket and gently rock it back and forth to loosen any connective tissues. Then, he can just lift it out of the mouth.
An extraction isn’t fun, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Dr. Butler will prescribe medication to minimize discomfort for the first few days after the surgery. If necessary, Dr. Butler and our team can also discuss tooth replacement options with you.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
An emergency extraction is sometimes called for when a tooth has been damaged by trauma or has been neglected until it is infected, and the decay or damage is too extreme for the tooth to be saved. Dr. Butler will go over your options, including plans for a restoration to prevent additional tooth loss.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Following your procedure, the most important precaution to take is to protect the blood clot within the socket—this protects the underlying bone and allows for a smoother, complication-free healing process. You can do this by eating a soft diet for the days following your tooth extraction in Kerrville, avoiding drinking from a straw and spitting, and stopping smoking. It’s also important to maintain good dental hygiene as you heal to avoid plaque and bacteria build-up within the mouth.
If you find your pain getting worse instead of better, it’s crucial that you contact Dr. Butler immediately.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Need Full Mouth Rehabilitation I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am in Pain and Need Help I Want to Enhance My Smile I am Anxious/Afraid of the Dentist View Our Services
