If you do need to have a tooth extraction, there are several ways that we can go about the procedure. First, we will numb the area of your mouth so that you do not feel any direct discomfort. You will feel pressure during the procedure but otherwise remain relaxed and comfortable. If your tooth has matured and broken through the gums, we can use dental tools to wiggle the tooth and pull it out of the socket. Afterward, the area will be thoroughly cleaned, and gauze will be used to stop the bleeding while you recover. If your tooth is impacted or still below the surface, as is common with wisdom teeth, oral surgery may be necessary for removing it. When completing this procedure in our dental office, we typically create an incision in the gums so that there is a flap. The flap is gently lifted so that we have access to the impacted tooth. In many cases, we can wiggle the tooth and lift it out of the socket. However, if there is bone or tissue on top of the tooth, it will need to be cut away first. If the tooth is particularly stubborn and not budging, we might need to break it into several pieces and remove it that way. Once the tooth has been removed from the socket, the area will be thoroughly cleaned before the flap is placed back down and sutured in place. Gauze is then used to stop the bleeding.

At iSmile Dental Care of Bloomfield, we perform a tooth extraction in the least invasive manner possible to shorten the recovery time. Most of our patients will recover in the office for around an hour while we make sure that the bleeding has sufficiently slowed down, and any anesthesia is wearing off. We typically recommend having someone pick you up after having a tooth extraction. At home, you will want to rest and taking a nap is highly recommended. Be sure to drink plenty of water but avoid drinking anything that is too hot or too cold as this could lead to sensitivity for the first couple of days. We also recommend avoiding the use of a straw, for the first few days, as the suction could cause the affected area to start bleeding. How the procedure was completed will influence how long it takes to recover but, in general, the swelling will go down after a few days. In our family dentist office, we recommend taking ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling and to use an ice pack or cold compress for 15 minutes at a time. During your recovery, you should eat foods that are high in nutrition but soft. Drinking a smoothie with vegetables, fruit, yogurt, and protein powder is an excellent way to keep your nutrition levels up without needing to bite down on anything. As you add foods back in, be sure to start with things that are soft like noodles and gradually work your way up to a full diet. While caring for your mouth after a tooth extraction, you also need to keep your mouth as clean as possible. Brush your surrounding teeth like normal while carefully avoiding the surgical site. You can also rinse with water and baking soda or an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the risk of an infection developing. We may want to see you for a follow-up appointment, as well.

If you still have your wisdom teeth, you may need to have them removed. We invite you to schedule an appointment with our dentist office so that we can examine your teeth and take X-rays to determine whether or not you should keep your wisdom teeth. Not everyone needs to have them out, so it depends on how much room you have and whether they are growing in straight or impacted. Also, if you have worn braces, they might need to be removed to prevent them pushing the other teeth forward. The process of removing wisdom teeth is roughly the same as any other tooth with the exception of when and why we perform the procedure. At True Dental Care of Bloomfield, we typically recommend wisdom teeth removal in the teenage years. General extractions are more common as people age and have a tooth that needs to be removed due to a severe infection or significant damage. To find out whether or not you should keep your wisdom teeth, call (862) 285-9066 to schedule an appointment today!

At True Dental Care of Bloomfield, we can give you a well-made and durable replacement tooth, regardless of which option you select. However, if you are looking for a replacement option that looks, feels, and behaves like a natural tooth, a dental implant is the most effective. When completing this procedure, we implant a titanium post underneath the gums and secure it to the jawbone. This serves as a replacement root system. Over the course of one to several months, the titanium and bone will fuse together to create a new root system that is as strong as the original. The process of osseointegration makes it possible for us to give you a sturdy and durable tooth replacement you can count on. In our dental office, we will then attach a new tooth that has been specifically created to blend in with your surrounding teeth. An implant is the next best thing to a natural tooth. It is important to note that this is a surgical procedure, and in order to qualify, your jawbone will need to have sufficient density. As such, not everyone qualifies for the procedure. There are, however, other durable replacement solutions, such as a dental bridge.

If you want to replace multiple teeth but are not ready for a surgical procedure, dental bridges can be an excellent solution. At True Dental Care of Bloomfield, we can create natural-looking bridges that will blend in with your natural teeth. To complete the procedure, we will need to identify two of your remaining teeth that are strong enough to support your new bridge. We will then prepare these teeth and place dental crowns around them. These crowns will serve as an anchor to hold the dental bridges in place. This is what provides dental bridges with the security of natural teeth and gives you the ability to eat your favorite foods without feeling self-conscious. The challenge is that this procedure does permanently alter some of your healthy teeth. This makes it important to carefully consider the pros and cons of using dental bridges instead of self-reliant dental implants.

As an implant dentist, we can replace both the root and tooth. When you use dentures or a dental bridge to replace teeth, they only replace the visible portion of the tooth. While an effective way to restore your smile and ability to eat and speak, this does not provide the level of stimulation that your jawbone needs to prevent resorption. Your root and tooth stimulate your jawbone every time that you bite down and chew. This informs the body that your jaw is serving its purpose by supporting your teeth. Without teeth, your body will begin to leach calcium from your jawbone to distribute to other areas of the body. The loss of bone density can give you a sunken appearance and make you appear far older than you actually are. By placing dental implants in our dental office, we can restore your lost tooth while preserving your jawbone and facial appearance at the same time. No other solution is as effective at doing so.