Tooth Extractions - Falls Church, VA

At American Family Dental Care, our dental team is committed to protecting the health of your teeth using preventive measures such as regular cleaning and restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns, but in some cases, tooth extraction is the only way to protect your other teeth from getting damaged. Our expert tooth extraction dentist in Falls Church knows exactly how to efficiently extract your teeth and keep your beautiful smile intact! With advanced training in tooth exodontia, we have become one of the premier providers of wisdom teeth removal in Falls Church and surrounding communities.

Causes For Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions may be performed for the following reasons and/or to remove the following conditions:

• Wisdom teeth
• Decayed teeth
• Broken teeth
• Overcrowding
• Loose teeth
• In preparation for braces

Tooth Extraction Procedure

After the dentist has decided that a tooth extraction is necessary, an X-ray will be used to further evaluate the tooth. The extraction procedure may be performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort, or general anesthesia if more than one tooth is removed. There are two types of dental extractions:

Simple Extraction

This is an extraction of a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. In a simple extraction, forceps are used to remove the tooth.

Surgical Extraction

A surgical extraction is performed on teeth that have broken at the gum line or have not descended into the mouth, such as wisdom teeth. It is a more complex extraction procedure that may be performed by an oral surgeon. This procedure may require general anesthesia.

After the extraction, stitches may be necessary; alternatively, a bridge, implant or a denture will be used to replace one or more teeth.

Falls Church Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth refer to our third molars that erupt after the rest of your adult teeth. They usually appear when people reach the age of about 17 to 25 years.

Because they appear late, there is often not enough space for them to grow properly. This leads to several complications such as:

• Damage to the neighboring teeth
• Gum Tissues Infection
• The wisdom teeth stuck in the gum tissues and bone
• Cyst Formation
• Damaged jawbone
• Periodontal disease
• Disruption to the teeth alignment

Not all wisdom teeth require extractions, but when these complications arise, our dentist recommends removing them to ease your discomfort.

Recovery From A Tooth Extraction

After the extraction, patients may experience a certain amount of pain. The pain may be relieved by:

• Applying ice to the external area if swelling occurs
• Rinsing with warm salt water
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication

Antibiotics may be prescribed to fight infection. Patients are also advised to avoid certain foods and hot liquids for 24 hours after the procedure. A follow-up appointment may be necessary to remove stitches.
Most patients recover completely from a tooth extraction within one to two weeks.

Complications Of Tooth Extraction

The dental extraction procedure is safe for most patients with minimal to no complications. While most complications are rare, they may include:

• Accidental damage to surrounding teeth
• Fractured jaw
• Soreness in the jaw
• Dry socket or exposure of bone in the tooth socket
• Infection

Patients may also experience side effects from local and general anesthesia. The dentist or surgeon will discuss any potential side effects before the procedure.

Contact Our Falls Church Tooth Extraction Dentist

If tooth pain is affecting your quality of life, scheduling a consultation with our Falls Church dental team can help you determine your most appropriate form of treatment. To learn more about our tooth extraction services in Falls Church, contact our practice today and schedule your appointment.