Tooth Extractions in New Orleans

While generally seen as a treatment of last resort, sometimes it becomes necessary to extract a tooth. Whether you have a tooth that is too damaged to repair or there is simply not enough room in your mouth, healthy teeth might be at risk. And having a tooth pulled in New Orleans could be the only way to protect your oral health.

In other cases, pulling a tooth before orthodontics may lead to a better outcome following ClearCorrect therapy in New Orleans. Additionally, it makes sense to remove troublesome wisdom teeth to ease pain and protect teeth spacing.

If you have a tooth that is giving you trouble, give us a call at Downtown Dental. Dr. Richard Rathke has the experience and skill to determine whether extraction is the best option. If tooth extraction is deemed necessary, he and his team will ensure the procedure is safe and comfortable for you.

Continue reading to learn more about easy tooth extractions in New Orleans

What are the reasons I might need a tooth pulled in New Orleans?

The thought of losing a tooth or teeth to decay or trauma can be daunting. But today’s technologies mean that we can replace an extracted tooth or take measures to complete your smile line with a restorative appliance.

In many cases, tooth extraction does not impact your smile, or the extraction is the first step in straightening your teeth.

There are several reasons why it might be necessary to have a tooth pulled in New Orleans:

If a tooth is severely decayed, your dentist will do everything possible to repair it with a filling or dental crown. In some cases, however, the tooth is too far gone, and repair is not an option.

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted because they can cause problems. Sometimes they get stuck beneath the gum line and do not fully emerge. This situation is called impaction, and it can cause pain and swelling. In other cases, the wisdom teeth might emerge, but they don’t have enough room, so they end up pushing your other teeth out of position. This is especially problematic after orthodontic work. Wisdom teeth do not have a practical purpose, and you will not miss them at all!

People who are undergoing orthodontic treatment such as ClearCorrect in New Orleans might need extractions to make room for the proper alignment of the rest of their teeth. This type of extraction will not be noticeable following ClearCorrect therapy.

What happens during a tooth extraction?

Although facing an extraction can be nerve-wracking, rest assured that the area will be numbed entirely before the procedure so you will remain comfortable. You might feel some pressure at the site, but you will not experience any pain. And our team will offer nothing but support and reassurance throughout the extraction process, which is quick and easy.

For patients needing a little extra reassurance, we also offer nitrous oxide—a safe gas that enhances your relaxation. This gas wears off immediately following your extraction. Simply, let a team member know when you schedule your tooth extraction in New Orleans that you would like nitrous oxide.

Dr. Rathke extracts teeth regularly for various reasons, and our patients are often pleasantly surprised by how easy and conservative tooth extractions are at Downtown Dental. We think you’ll be surprised, too.

What happens after a tooth extraction?

Following a tooth extraction, we provide gauze to bite down on gently. Doing this helps stop the mild bleeding—mild bleeding is normal.

You must follow Dr. Rathke’s instructions after the extraction to promote healthy healing. You shouldn’t feel pain afterward, though you might experience some mild discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, are preferred. If you have any swelling, you can use an ice pack applied to your cheek over the extraction site. Take it easy in the hours following the extraction to give your body a chance to heal.

Avoid smoking and drinking through a straw the first day or two following the extraction, or you run the risk of loosening the clot that is forming over the extraction site. The sucking motion can cause a painful condition known as “dry socket,” which is a complication that will interfere with proper healing.

Stick to soft foods right after the procedure and avoid anything that is too hot or too cold. Gradually introduce foods into your diet as your healing continues.

Generally, it does not take long to recover from tooth extractions. In some cases, Dr. Rathke provides more specific instructions based on your unique situation. If you have questions during your short recovery, we encourage you to contact our New Orleans dental office.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth come in years after your adult teeth at the back of your mouth in the upper and lower jaw—four in all. These teeth are not necessary for smile appearance, bite function, or your oral health. In fact, they are often troublesome and encroach on adjacent teeth, which may lead to crowding, shifting, and pain.  In many cases, they only partially erupt and leave your gums vulnerable to bacteria collection or even an infection.

When these teeth do not behave, or they interfere with your oral health, we strongly recommend wisdom tooth extraction in New Orleans.

What tooth replacement options do you offer at your NOLA dental office?

If you need a dental extraction in New Orleans, we provide several tooth replacement options, including:woman smiling with dental crowns in new orleans

  • Dentures for full tooth extraction
  • Partial dentures for partial tooth removal
  • Crowns and bridges for partial extractions in the same area
  • Dental implants for full reconstruction from root to tooth

Aside from wisdom teeth or extractions leading into ClearCorrect, it is vital to fill your smile gap with a tooth replacement option to prevent shifting teeth, misalignment, and further dental issues or tooth loss in the future.

Dr. Rathke will go over your tooth replacement options in New Orleans and help you make the best decision for your smile.

How can I help prevent extractions from tooth decay?

In the world of dentistry, prevention is key. There is only one way to prevent dental problems, and that is by visiting your New Orleans dentist twice each year for examinations and cleanings. You want to brush and floss at least twice daily, too.

When you see us for regular checkups, we detect problems while they are still small and less invasive to treat. For example, it is much easier to fill a small spot of decay on your tooth than it is to perform a root canal on a tooth with unchecked decay. Until cavities grow, it usually isn’t painful, so a dental x-ray is often the only way to diagnose.

Another reason—aside from decay leading to extractions—to see your dentist regularly is to protect your gum health. Gum disease, which is the most common reason for American adults to lose their teeth, often creeps up on people without their knowledge. It doesn’t always present with symptoms, particularly in its early stages when it is most treatable. Gum disease in New Orleans usually starts because of excess plaque buildup on the teeth; this plaque hardens into tartar, and we remove it with special dental tools.

Don’t risk your oral health by skipping bi-annual checkups. Call Downtown Dental today to make an appointment!

Call Our Downtown New Orleans Dental Office to Ask About Tooth Extractions

If you have a bothersome tooth or are in pain from a toothache, call Dr. Rathke, your New Orleans dentist, at Downtown Dental. He will examine to find out whether extraction is the best option. Don’t put off treatment. Call us today!