Wauconda Dental Excellence
Manuel Rodriguez, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentist located in Wauconda, IL
At Wauconda Dental Excellence, expert dentist Dr. Manuel J. Rodriguez does his best to preserve your natural teeth and keep them as healthy as possible. In some cases, however, you need to have a tooth extracted due to decay, crowding, or impaction. Trust his expertise in determining when an extraction is necessary; Dr. Rodriguez has the skills to perform the procedure in the least invasive way possible. If you live in or around Wauconda, Illinois, call or use the online booking agent when you suspect a tooth is contributing to a decline in your oral health.
Tooth Extraction Q & A
Why might I need a tooth extraction?
There are a variety of reasons a tooth may need to be extracted, including:
- Trauma or disease
- Orthodontic treatment
- Impacted wisdom teeth
In some cases, Dr. Rodriguez recommends you have one or more of your child’s baby teeth extracted, rather than waiting for them to fall out on their own. That might happen when the baby teeth are merely slow to loosen and endanger the permanent teeth erupting in the gum line below.
What orthodontic treatments call for extraction?
Crowding occurs when you have too many teeth for the size of your jaw. By removing one or more teeth, Dr. Rodriguez opens up space so your remaining teeth can be appropriately aligned. The teeth most commonly removed in this case are the first premolars, next to the canines.
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that appear in your late teens and early 20s. Many people don't have enough room in their mouths for this final set of molars, and the teeth become impacted, meaning they don’t fully erupt from the gums. Removing the impacted teeth prevents bone degradation, gum disease, and damage to neighboring healthy teeth.
What should I expect during a tooth extraction?
Dr. Rodriguez begins an extraction with an X-ray that reveals the position of the tooth roots and the condition of surrounding bone.
Before extracting your tooth, Dr. Rodriguez numbs the affected area, usually with local anesthesia but he may offer additional sedation through nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or IV sedation.
As he removes your tooth, he takes steps to ensure the surrounding bone remains intact. He carefully manipulates the tooth to detach the root fibers and free the tooth from your mouth.
What happens after tooth extraction?
Immediately afterward, you may experience some swelling and have stitches in the affected area. Some soreness and mild swelling are to be expected.
Over-the-counter pain medications alleviate discomfort, and Dr. Rodriguez may prescribe antibiotics to discourage infection. You may need to modify your diet to focus on soft foods for a few days or a week until the site completely heals.
When you need a tooth extracted, trust Dr. Manuel Rodriguez of Wauconda Dental Excellence to make the procedure as smooth and pain-free as possible. Call or book online today.