Extractions in Rochester, MN
The team at Quarry Hill Family Dental will do everything they can to help save your tooth. However, there are times when you may need to have an extraction.
Patients often have misconceptions about having a tooth extracted. The process is often portrayed as a much worse experience than it has to be. Our team will answer any questions you have about your dental extraction and make sure to provide comfortable treatment.
Why Get an Extraction?
Dental extractions are often one of the last treatment options for a severely damaged tooth. In most cases, trying to save your tooth is the best option, but when a tooth has a poor prognosis, Dr. Jarrett will recommend you have it extracted. Some common reasons for tooth extraction are:
- Severe decay
- Overcrowding (often wisdom teeth)
- Failed root canal
- Cracked tooth or root
- Severe gum disease
When we recommend extraction, it is important to schedule treatment immediately. If you do not have your tooth extracted soon enough complications may occur including:
- Infection which can lead to pain, swelling, and possibly sepsis
- Cavities on adjacent teeth.
- Damage to unerupted permanent teeth.
- Bone loss around adjacent teeth
My Extraction Visit
During an extraction, Dr. Jarrett will first numb the tooth and surrounding gums so you will not feel any pain. Your comfort during the extraction is a priority of our team. While the tooth is being extracted, you will feel the pressure that is being placed on your tooth and jaw. This is unavoidable but not painful. If you are feeling any nervousness or anxiety, nitrous oxide is available to help provide a better experience.
The actual extraction can take as little as a few minutes up to an hour depending on the root structure and health of the tooth. Before extracting your tooth, Dr. Jarrett will discuss what to expect during your appointment.
Tooth Replacement Options
After we extract a tooth, there are several options to fill in the open space. It is essential to replace the tooth to maintain the overall health of your remaining teeth. Dr. Jarrett can discuss what follow-up treatment options she recommends including:
Dental Implant
To best replicate the look and feel of your extracted tooth, we recommend having an implant placed. Dr. Jarrett teams up with several specialists who will place the implant, and after the implant has time to stabilize, Dr. Jarrett will place a crown over it. Your new “tooth” will look and feel like a real tooth.
Bridge
When one or both of the adjacent teeth would benefit from a crown, a bridge is a great option. A bridge will replace the extracted tooth while the crowns strengthen adjacent teeth. Bridges are also a good option when you have bone loss around your extracted tooth, and an implant is not an option.
Partial or Full Denture
If you have several existing missing teeth or need multiple extractions, a partial or full denture is a good solution. A partial denture is used to replace multiple missing teeth spread throughout your upper or lower arch. It is a cost-effective option that provides a tremendous impact on your the functionality of your remaining teeth. If a full denture is needed, implants can be placed to aid in the stability and functionality of a full denture.
Please Call Us for An Appointment
If you suspect you might need extraction, or you just have questions about the procedure, please call our office at (507) 216-9891 to arrange a convenient appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following your extraction, the staff at Quarry Hill Family Dental will provide specific instructions to help the extraction site heal. The amount of discomfort and pain you may feel can vary a lot depending on how difficult the extraction was. Some common things to avoid doing after your extraction include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco for 48 hours
- Using a straw
- Lifting heavy objects or exercising for 48 hours
After your extraction, you may have some soreness, oozing, and small bleeding around the extraction area for a day or two. Our team will provide you with some sterile gauze to use if this occurs. For any soreness, if you are able to take both Ibuprofen and Tylenol Dr. Jarrett recommends alternating between taking each one every four hours to control the pain. By alternating every four hours their ability to help control the pain will greatly increase.
If after four to five days you start to experience an intense pain you may have what is called a “dry socket.” This happens when the clot becomes dislodged and delays healing. During the previous days after the extraction, you may have felt no pain or discomfort at all. If you believe this has occurred, please call our office and Dr. Jarrett can help heal the area by applying some medication that will shorten the healing time.
Most of us don’t like to think about having a tooth extracted, but sometimes it is necessary for our oral and systemic health. An extraction in Rochester, MN begins with a consultation by our dentist. If you’re a good candidate for extraction, our office works hard to make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable during the process.
Reasons you may need a dental extraction include:
- Wisdom teeth—useless back teeth that come in later than other teeth and are often troublesome
- Overcrowding—to make way for orthodontics to straighten your smile
- Failed root canal
- Extreme decay
- Extreme gum disease
Our compassionate and gentle dentist in Rochester, MN can help with tooth replacement options following your dental extraction.
Tooth replacement options include:
- Crowns and bridges—a replacement tooth suspended between two crowns that are placed over adjacent teeth
- Partial dentures for multiple extractions
- A dental implant to permanently take the place of your natural tooth
If you need a dental extraction in Rochester, MN, our top dentist is here to help with that extraction and ready to provide a solution to your tooth loss.
If you have any questions about dental extractions or tooth replacement options, get in touch with our caring team today. At Quarry Hill Family Dental, we are always here for you.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Molly Jarrett
Dr. Molly Jarrett was born and raised in Rochester, just minutes from the office. As a child, she spent many hours in our very building, which was once home to the veterinary practice run by her father, Dr. Gary Noser.
After ...