At Palma Sola Smiles in Bradenton, FL, Dr. Nathaniel Sheplak knows that keeping your natural teeth is always best for your dental health. But sometimes, a tooth extraction becomes needed to protect your overall oral health.
A tooth extraction is when a tooth is carefully removed from your jaw. While we always try to save your natural teeth with fillings, crowns, or root canals, sometimes removing a tooth is the best choice when it’s badly damaged.
Our team at Palma Sola Smiles uses gentle methods to make your tooth extraction comfortable and stress-free. Dr. Sheplak has lots of experience taking out teeth with care and skill.
Reasons for Needing a Tooth Extraction
There are several times when taking out a tooth might be best for your dental health:
- Bad Decay or Damage: When a tooth is too damaged to be fixed with a filling or crown
- Gum Disease: If gum disease has made the tooth loose or infected
- Crowded Teeth: To make space for other teeth, often before braces
- Risk of Infection: When a tooth might cause infection, especially for people with health problems
- Problem Wisdom Teeth: When back molars (wisdom teeth) can’t come in properly or cause pain
Dr. Sheplak will always explain why an extraction is needed and talk about all your options first.
What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction
Many people worry about having teeth pulled, but modern methods have made this much more comfortable than you might think. Here’s what happens during a typical extraction at Palma Sola Smiles:
- Getting Ready: Dr. Sheplak will take x-rays to see the tooth and bone around it.
- Numbing: The area around your tooth will be numbed so you won’t feel pain. If you’re nervous, we have ways to help you relax.
- Taking Out the Tooth: For a simple extraction, Dr. Sheplak will gently loosen the tooth and then remove it with special tools.
- Special Cases: If a tooth is under the gum, a small cut may be needed to reach it. The tooth might be taken out in pieces to protect the bone around it.
- After Care: After removing the tooth, we’ll put gauze on the spot to stop bleeding. Sometimes stitches help close the gum.
Most patients are surprised by how quick and easy the procedure is. Dr. Sheplak’s gentle touch ensures you stay comfortable.
Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17-25. Many people don’t have enough room in their mouth for these teeth. Removing problem wisdom teeth offers several important benefits for your long-term oral health. Wisdom teeth can push other teeth out of place, causing misalignment and potentially undoing previous orthodontic work. Stuck wisdom teeth often cause ongoing pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness that can be relieved through removal. When wisdom teeth only partly emerge, they create spaces where germs can grow, leading to infections and gum disease. These teeth can also harm nearby teeth through pressure or by making them harder to clean properly. In some cases, stuck wisdom teeth may develop harmful cysts that damage your jawbone and healthy teeth. At Palma Sola Smiles, Dr. Sheplak is skilled at comfortable wisdom teeth removal to help you avoid these potential problems.
Tooth Replacement Options
After healing, Dr. Sheplak can talk with you about ways to replace your tooth. Options include dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures. Dental implants are often best because they look and work most like real teeth.
Request an Appointment
If you have tooth pain or think you might need an extraction, don’t wait until it becomes an emergency. Contact Palma Sola Smiles today at 941-491-1433
You can also request an appointment through our website by filling out our online form. Our friendly team will call you to confirm your appointment time.
At Palma Sola Smiles, we’re committed to making your dental visit as comfortable as possible, even for procedures like tooth extractions. We serve patients throughout Bradenton, FL, and nearby areas with caring, quality dental care.
