Tooth Extractions in Farmington Valley

Expert tooth extractions by our Farmington Valley dentists.

Having a tooth pulled may not be pleasant, but it’s often necessary–either to make way for a permanent tooth, or when a tooth becomes infected, decayed, or otherwise jeopardizes your health. Our Farmington Valley dentists in West Hartford provide affordable and professional extraction services to ensure you get appropriate care before, during, and after a tooth extraction procedure.

Before tooth extraction.

In most cases, a tooth extraction results in only mild pain. If you’re concerned about sensitivity, ask your Farmington Valley dentist about a local anesthetic to numb the area. If you need more than one tooth removed, or if the tooth is in a particularly sensitive area of the mouth, your dentist may suggest a general anesthetic so that you sleep throughout the extraction procedure.

During a tooth extraction.

First, your dentist will numb the gum with a local anesthetic. Once you’re comfortable, the dentist will gently loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth. After the tooth becomes sufficiently loosened from the gum, the dentist will extract it, placing gauze over the socket to prevent excess bleeding. You may be asked to bite down on the gauze, holding it in place while a clot forms.

After a tooth extraction.

If your tooth is removed for reasons other than to make way for a permanent tooth, your dentist may recommend a replacement. Otherwise, the teeth surrounding the now empty space may shift and lead to potential problems. There are many different replacement methods available. Your dentist will discuss your options and recommend the best one based on your needs. It may be necessary to wait until your mouth has completely healed before having your tooth replaced.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the back of your mouth that grow in around adulthood—yet rarely without pain or other problems. While many people never develop wisdom teeth at all, those who do frequently require their extraction. Sometimes, the teeth are misaligned or don’t have the necessary space to develop properly. When this happens, they will need to be removed to avoid further complications.

How a wisdom tooth is removed.

Most wisdom tooth removals are fairly routine procedures, performed in an outpatient setting under local or general anesthesia. If your dentist decides your wisdom teeth require removal, he or she will discuss your particular procedure beforehand. Please let your dentist know if you have any special concerns, allergies, medical conditions, or pain sensitivities.

Reasons for wisdom tooth removal.

If your Farmington Valley dentist recommends extraction, it may be due to a tooth’s poor alignment or the pain you’ve experienced during its development. Occasionally, a wisdom tooth that’s unable to break through the gum becomes impacted. Or, the space in your mouth may simply be too small for the new tooth. It’s best to follow your dentist’s advice. Otherwise, the wisdom tooth may become infected and develop a painful cyst.

Coping with wisdom tooth pain.

Although it’s usually best to have a problem wisdom tooth pulled promptly in order to avoid further pain and complications, sometimes an infection needs to be treated first. If required to wait, you can take steps in the interim to reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort. Home remedies, such as rinsing with warm, salty water, can provide temporary pain relief. Applying ice to the outside jaw area for short intervals may also help, as will over-the-counter pain relievers.

When is it safe to keep wisdom teeth?

Trust your dentist’s advice on whether or not to keep your wisdom teeth. If extraction is recommended, it may be because a wisdom tooth has the potential to cause excessive pain or more serious problems that could impact good oral and general health. When wisdom teeth don’t develop properly, damage and disease can result. Don’t risk your health or your existing, healthy teeth for these nonessential third molars.