Extractions in Middletown, NJ
Do you need a tooth pulled in Middletown, NJ?
Our goal at Middletown Dental is to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile for a lifetime. Maintaining optimum oral health can sometimes mean tooth removal. Having a tooth pulled can also open you up to a new smile with quality replacement options like dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures.
While tooth extraction still may not seem like good news, Dr. Sukumar has more than 20 years of experience helping patients with extractions. He is your gentle dentist in Middletown, and he has a compassionate team to see you through your dental extraction.
You can rest assured that you are in great hands when you choose Middletown Dental for your care.
If you have a deeply decayed tooth, severe toothache, painful wisdom teeth, or other tooth health concerns, contact Middletown Dental to schedule an exam. We also encourage you to reach out if you have any questions.
Continue reading to learn more about the tooth extraction process.
- Having a Tooth Pulled in Middletown, NJ
- Easier Tooth Extraction with the Wand
- Reasons You May Need a Dental Extraction
- Avoiding Future Tooth Extractions
Having a Tooth Pulled in Middletown, NJ
There are a variety of reasons you may want or need a tooth extraction. In some cases, patients need a tooth pulled due to decay. Other times, it may be because of problematic wisdom teeth or as a precursor to orthodontics or dentures.
If you’re experiencing jaw or tooth pain, the first step is to schedule an exam with your dentist in Middletown. (If you have significant pain that is interfering with your daily life and rest, it is likely a dental emergency, and we recommend contacting our office as soon as possible to arrange an emergency dental appointment.)
During your extraction exam, Dr. Sukumar examines the tooth to see if it is salvageable. In some cases, patients elect to have an extraction even if the tooth can be saved. The choice belongs to you!
If you need an extraction, your dentist numbs the area thoroughly before gently pulling the tooth. Most patients report mild pressure but no pain.
After extraction, a member of our team provides instructions to help with any discomfort and to expedite healing, which usually lasts only a day or two.
As a rule, you should avoid smoking and drinking through a straw for a day or two following tooth removal. And mild discomfort is usually brought in line with over-the-counter pain medications.
Easier Tooth Extraction with the Wand
At Middletown Dental, we want our patients to relax during their dental therapies and procedures. We don’t want dentistry associated with pain. This is why we offer the Wand technology in our dental office.
This computer-guided anesthesia system controls your numbing agent, allowing for the delivery of an anesthetic below your pain threshold. This means your anesthesia is custom measured for your pain!
Additionally, your team at Middletown Dental makes every effort to ensure that you are comfortable throughout your procedure. Dr. Sukumar uses the best dental anesthetics, so you don’t feel anything. We’re also there to guide you through the recovery process with instructions, and our friendly staff members are always on hand to answer your questions. Patients are typically surprised by how easy a tooth extraction can be with superior technology and a caring dentist.
Reasons You May Need a Dental Extraction
At Middletown Dental, we understand that a dental extraction can be frightening—at least the idea of having a tooth pulled. You may picture a cartoonish scenario complete with oversized pliers. The reality is very different. In fact, tooth extraction with your Middletown dentist is a gentle procedure that typically takes little time to complete.
When you’re with us, you are in good hands, and we will treat you the way we would treat family members.
Now, let’s look at a few reasons you may need a tooth pulled in Middletown.
Wisdom Teeth
Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to arrive at the very back of your mouth behind your second set of molars. Wisdom teeth extractions are quite common, and there are several reasons you might need to have them removed, such as:
- Crowding. There is often not enough space for these molars, and they tend to crowd your other teeth and may cause them to shift.
- Impaction. This means the teeth are stuck below the gum line, and this can lead to an infection.
- Proper cleaning. Wisdom teeth are often hard to reach to brush and floss, which increases your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease.
- Odd angles. Wisdom teeth may also come in at strange angles, meaning your other teeth could be negatively affected or pushed.
Before Orthodontics
If you decide to straighten your teeth through orthodontics, we offer traditional metal and invisible braces in our dental office.
In some cases, your jaw is too small to accommodate every tooth, and you are left with overlapping, twisting, and crowding teeth. Orthodontics brings these problems in line. However, you may need an extraction before orthodontics to make sure your jaw can accommodate every tooth.
This type of tooth extraction is not noticeable because your treatment through orthodontics closes smile gaps.
Your dentist will explain the process and why extraction before orthodontics may be the best course.
Before Dentures
If you have missing teeth already, you may have considered partial dentures. However, partial dentures require healthy teeth for support. If your few remaining teeth are weak or damaged, you may opt to have extractions and go with full dentures to complete your smile.
At Middletown Dental, we customize our dentures to fit your smile, relying on impressions and fittings to provide a visually appealing restoration that functions as intended.
Dental Infections or Trauma in the 07748 Area
A tooth that is injured or traumatized, and a with root canal therapy, may need to be extracted. An infected tooth may also require removal to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth or critical parts of the body.
If you have jaw pain or a toothache, it’s essential to contact Middletown Dental right away. If you do have an infection, root canal therapy may save your tooth, so being proactive about seeking treatment is essential.
If you lose a tooth due to extraction, ask your dentist about tooth replacement options. Replacing a missing tooth is vital for your bite function and the integrity of your remaining teeth, which may shift toward gaps in your smile. This creates enamel wear and may lead to future tooth loss.
Tooth replacement options include:
- Dental bridges
- Dentures
- Partial dentures
- Dental implants
Avoiding Future Tooth Extractions
The best way to prevent future tooth extractions, specifically due to infection, means brushing and flossing at least twice each day and visiting your dentist regularly for dental exams and professional teeth cleanings.
To avoid trauma, we always recommend wearing the proper face gear and mouthguard when competing in sports. If you grind and clench your teeth, consider a nightguard to save your smile from wear and help prevent future tooth breakage.
Do You Need a Tooth Pulled in Middletown, NJ?
If you have a problematic tooth or teeth, give us a call to learn more about how Dr. Sukumar can help you.
At Middletown Dental, we are always here for you.
