At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew Bridges offers a full range of emergency and restorative services. Using our state-of-the-art technology, he will diagnose the cause of your toothache before recommending appropriate care. No matter what treatment you undergo, you will enjoy a fully renewed smile and dental function once he is finished. 

An untreated toothache can lead to serious dental damage or even a systemic infection. Contact us right away to schedule your appointment. 

A Cavity

In the early stages, a cavity will be asymptomatic. If decay goes untreated, however, you may experience a toothache. This could be a continuous dull ache, or you may experience sharp pains when biting and chewing. 

The most common treatment for a cavity is a dental filling. At our practice, you can choose between amalgam and tooth-colored composite fillings. Dr. Bridges will help you select the type that best suits your health and cosmetic needs.

Dental Infection

Infection typically occurs if decay goes untreated. Bacteria can spread to the interior of a tooth and down along the dental root. In addition to a toothache, you may experience bad breath, a fever, or swollen gums. 

In most cases, an infected tooth will need root canal therapy. Dr. Bridges will clean and reshape your tooth before placing a custom-made crown.

Gum Disease

Although gum disease obviously affects your soft tissues, it can also cause tooth pain. As your gums recede, your roots may be exposed, leading to sensitivity, especially in response to temperature changes. 

Gum disease treatment will depend on the severity of your condition. Mild cases may only require a routine cleaning. But more advanced gum disease may necessitate gum surgery. If needed, Dr. Bridges can refer you to an oral surgeon.

Bruxism 

Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding and clenching, affects 15% of adolescents, 8% of middle aged adults, and 3% of older adults. If you suffer from jaw pain and/or headaches, along with dental sensitivity, bruxism may be the cause. In most cases, Dr. Bridges can alleviate pain with a simple night guard. 

A Damaged Filling 

Even the best fillings can eventually loosen or come out. Sometimes, Dr. Bridges may simply be able to replace the filling with a new one. But if you have experienced subsequent decay or additional damage to your tooth, you may need a crown. 

A Broken Tooth

Broken teeth require various types of treatment, depending on the location and size of the damage. However, if you are experiencing a toothache, it is likely that the dental pulp has been exposed, and you will need more advanced restorative care. 

A crown or root canal may be sufficient. If your tooth and root has completely split in two, you will likely need an extraction. Your dentist can then follow up with a bridge or dental implant. 

Get Effective Toothache Treatment Today

Find out the best course of action for your toothache. 

Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center online or call us at 580-255-4880.

The post What’s the best treatment for a toothache? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Are you currently dealing with a dental crisis? If so, stay calm and assess the situation. If you are experiencing extreme pain, severe bleeding, or rapidly worsening conditions, head to your nearest emergency room. If your condition is stable, call Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, at (580) 255-4880 now. We can administer rapid care to get you smiling and feeling your best in no time!

In this blog post, we explore common dental emergencies and help you understand when it’s time to seek immediate dental care.

Severe Tooth Pain

If you’re experiencing persistent, excruciating pain that over-the-counter pain relievers can’t alleviate, you may need emergency dentistry. Severe toothaches could indicate an infection or other serious issues that require prompt attention to prevent the condition from worsening.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you or someone you know has had a tooth knocked out due to an accident or injury, try to gently place the tooth back into its socket (if possible). If that’s out of the question, then store the tooth in a container of milk or saline solution before heading straight to the dentist.

Cracked or Fractured Teeth

Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Contact our emergency dentist in Duncan, OK, promptly. We can assess the extent of the damage and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include a dental crown or bonding.

Lost Crown or Filling

If a dental crown or filling falls out, it can leave the exposed tooth vulnerable to further damage and decay. Seeking emergency dentistry is key to preventing unnecessary complications. So, head to our dental office as soon as possible to replace lost restorations.

Infections and Abscesses

If you are experiencing severe pain, swelling, and persistent foul breath, then you may be living with an oral infection. These kinds of infections do not go away on their own, so it’s important to seek care and antibiotics at an emergency dentistry clinic.

Bleeding Gums or Oral Trauma

Excessive bleeding from the gums or trauma to the mouth, face, or jaw requires immediate attention. In some cases, a trip to the emergency room is the best course of action. If you are struggling to get bleeding, swelling, and pain under control, get to the nearest hospital immediately.

Emergency Dentistry Near Duncan, OK

There is evidence to suggest that nearly two million emergency room visits are related to dental pain and trauma every year. If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with an emergency or not, play it safe – contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center today. Dr. Matthew Bridges can help you determine the extent of damage and make recommendations to reinstate your oral health rapidly. Just call (580) 255-4880 or contact us online here to get the care you need today.

The post Do I need emergency dentistry?: Understanding When to Seek Immediate Dental Care appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

If you’re in need of a qualified Duncan, OK, emergency dentist, then look no further than Chisholm Trail Smile Center. Dr. Matthew L. Bridges and his compassionate team are here to address all of your oral health needs, even during a crisis. Don’t waste a single second–call our team now at (580) 255-4880 or send us a message online here.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bridges explores four ways to handle dental emergencies. Using this information could help you save your natural teeth and protect your oral health.

1. Don’t Panic

Emergencies are scary, but panicking can make matters worse. So, if you or a loved one recently suffered dental trauma, then remain calm and assess the situation. If there is excessive bleeding or pain, then call 911 or head to your nearest hospital’s emergency room. 

If you don’t think a call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room is necessary, then call our Duncan emergency dentist immediately. Our team prioritizes dental emergencies, so we fit you into our schedule immediately for urgent care.

2. Keep Loose or Knocked-out Teeth Safe

A permanent tooth that gets loose or knocked out can cause patients to worry that they’ll lose that tooth forever. However, that may not be the case if patients act quickly and smoothly.

Our emergency dentist may be able to salvage wiggly permanent teeth. But, patients must take extra care to leave the tooth undisturbed until Dr. Bridges can assess the damage. Do not touch it with your fingers or tongue. Simply leave it alone until Dr. Bridges can find a way to stabilize the tooth.

But, if the tooth is already knocked out, then there is a different protocol. Patients with a knocked-out tooth should carefully preserve the tooth until Dr. Bridges can see them. So, try putting the tooth back into the socket to keep it safe and moist. If it is too painful to put the tooth back, then simply keep the tooth tucked in the cheek space or in a glass of milk.

3. Control Bleeding

Patients who are bleeding (but not enough to warrant a trip to the hospital) should try to control the bleeding while they wait to see our emergency dentist. We suggest using clean gauze pads and light pressure to staunch the flow of blood.

4. Keep Bacteria at Bay

Keeping the hands and mouth clean while dealing with a dental emergency is critical. Otherwise, an oral infection can worsen the situation and lead to complications down the line (like life-threatening sepsis). So, be sure to wash your hands, and keep the mouth clean by gently rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash or warm saltwater.

Need help? Call our Duncan emergency dentist today!

If you’ve recently experienced a dental crisis, then don’t delay–call Chisholm Trail Smile Center now. Our emergency dentist can help you quickly repair your smile for continued comfort and optimal health.

Call (580) 255-4880 or send us a message here to get started.

The post Our Duncan Emergency Dentist Tells You What to Do In a Dental Crisis appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

While many dentists in Oklahoma offer emergency dental treatment, much of the treatment begins at home or wherever the emergency occurs. Dr. Matthew Bridges believes that knowledge and education are extremely important. So, we’ve outlined how to handle these types of situations and our dental team in Duncan, OK is here to help. 

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call (580) 255-4880 for help today. 

Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth is typically the result of trauma or biting down on something too hard. This not only hurts, but it can impact your appearance. After a tooth has been chipped, rinse your mouth out with warm water. If it is bleeding, place a clean cloth or gauze over the area. Then, apply a cold compress to your face at the location of the damaged tooth. This will reduce swelling and relieve pain. 

If you have the chipped part of the tooth, place it in a glass of milk or water until you arrive at the dentist’s office. The dentist may be able to put it back together. If not, dental bonding, a veneer, or a crown may be necessary. 

Knocked-Out Tooth

The sooner a knocked-out tooth is treated, the better. Here are the steps to take when a tooth has been knocked-out: 

1. Rinse your mouth with water. 
2. Apply gauze if bleeding. 
3. Use a cold compress on the face. 
4. Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root) and rinse it off only if it is dirty. 
5. If possible, place it back in the socket. If not possible, place it in a glass of milk or water. 
6. Call emergency dentists in Oklahoma (Dr. Bridges if you are in Duncan, OK) to find someone who can treat you immediately. 

Gum Tissue Trauma

A sports injury or fall may result in gum tissue trauma. Typically, these heal on their own and do not require a trip to the dentist’s office. For this type of injury, rinse with a mild salt water solution and remove any foreign objects. Then, rinse again and place a damp gauze or cloth over the area. Bleeding should stop within 10-15 minutes. If it does not stop, seek medical care within six hours of the injury. 

If a foreign object is stuck between your teeth and gums, try removing it with floss. Gently slide the floss toward the tooth to dislodge the object. If this doesn’t work, see your dentist as soon as possible. 

Severe Toothache

Toothaches that don’t resolve with pain medication or ones that are accompanied by swelling or other symptoms require emergency dental care. While waiting to visit an emergency dentist, apply a cold compress to the area. 

The toothache may be caused by tooth decay, an abscessed tooth, a damaged filling, infected gums, or an impacted tooth. 

Loose Dental Crown

A loose dental crown can be painful because the enamel from the tooth underneath has been removed. In these instances, you will want to visit the dentist as soon as possible. If the crown is loose, leave it where it is and visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. 

Duncan, OK Emergency Dentist

When an emergency dental situation occurs, Dr. Bridges and our team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center spring into action. To find emergency dentists in Oklahoma, simply Google search “emergency dentists in Oklahoma.” If you live in or near Duncan, OK, call us at (580) 255-4880 for treatment. 

The post How to Handle Emergency Dental Situations appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew Bridges offers affordable care and multiple financing options. If you are suffering a dental emergency, contact us immediately for the urgent care you need. 

When is tooth extraction necessary?

There are several situations in which tooth removal is the best emergency option: 

• Dental decay has spread too far to repair your tooth with a filling or crown. 
• A dental infection has become too severe for root canal therapy.
• You have a dental infection and a weakened immune system, which may disqualify you from root canal therapy.
• Due to jawbone recession, your tooth no longer has sufficient support. 
• You have an impacted tooth, meaning the tooth has not come in on time, is erupting in the wrong place, or is blocked from coming in all the way.

The Cost of Urgent Tooth Removal

A standard tooth extraction typically costs between $150 and $300 per tooth. If you have an impacted tooth, you will require oral surgery to remove gum or jawbone tissue. As a result, extraction will cost more with a price range between $225 and $2,300. 

There are a number of factors that contribute to the final total of tooth extraction. Considerations include: 

• Any x-rays needed prior to extraction
• Whether you choose sedation
• The number of teeth being removed
• The complexity of a surgical extraction

Another consideration is the type of restoration you choose to replace your extracted tooth. At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we offer a full range of restorative solutions, including bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Dr. Bridges and our office team will be happy to discuss these options and help you select the one that fits your budget.

Insurance and Financing

Dental insurance usually covers all or part of the cost of an emergency extraction. Our office is in-network with Health Choice and Delta Premier, but we also file claims with other insurance companies. Even if you have an out-of-network plan, it can significantly cut down on your personal costs. 

If you do not have insurance or you need additional financial assistance, we have several other financing options available. In addition to cash and personal check, we accept all major credit cards. We also offer financing through CareCredit®, a third-party institution that specializes in financing for medical and dental procedures. 

Finally, we proudly provide Kleer® In-House Financing. When you set up a membership plan, you can make regular payments directly to our office in exchange for discounts and other incentives. 

Learn More about Emergency Tooth Extraction Cost

When you are experiencing a dental emergency, you shouldn’t have to worry about the cost. Contact us today to receive the affordable, stress-free urgent care you deserve. Reach us online or call us at 580-255-4880. Dr. Bridges is proud to provide emergency dentistry to patients in Duncan, OK, and the surrounding communities.

The post How much does emergency tooth extraction cost? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

• Your teeth are loose or have fallen out
• You are feeling significant oral discomfort
• Your jaw, face, or neck are swollen

In case of a dental emergency, please follow these four suggestions.

1. Remain Calm and Focused

Decision-making can be difficult in times of crisis. However, patients can make more informed decisions by remaining composed and slowing down. Ironically, Professor Barry Schwartz of Swarthmore College discovered that the most prominent reason people fail to decide is their fear of making the wrong choice. Instead of leaving you out in the cold to wonder what the next correct steps are in case of a dental emergency, we’ve lined them out for you.

1. Stay calm.
2. Take a moment to assess the damage.
3. Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in your local area.
4. Arrange a ride to and from the dental clinic. (In case you may not be in the mental state to operate a moving vehicle.)

2. Safely Manage Discomfort

While dental emergency symptoms vary from case to case, it’s vital to control adverse effects as much as possible until visiting the emergency dental clinic. It’s no secret oral pain can be debilitating, and toothache is the most common cause of oral pain. For mild to moderate pain, take NSAIDs. However, it’s important to note that self-medication through excess pain relievers and drugs is dangerous. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, please visit the emergency room until you can see the emergency dentist. Whether your mouth hurts from an abscess, dental injury, or other reasons, an emergency dentist can help treat the root cause of your pain for prolonged relief. 

3. Rinse with Saltwater

Although “rubbing salt in a wound” is typically synonymous with making an event worse, saltwater can help keep the mouth hygienic. Many oral bacteria are salt-sensitive, so rinsing with saltwater can eliminate bacteria that can cause wounds to worsen. Creating a saline rinse is simple: mix one teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of water. 

It’s important to note that increasing the water does not increase the efficiency of killing bacteria. Simply, warm water only helps the salt dissolve faster.

4. Abstain from Eating and Drinking

Again, it’s essential to keep an oral wound as clean as possible before visiting the emergency dentist. Besides water, we advise patients to avoid eating and drinking until they have been checked out and received necessary instructions for mealtimes. 

When you eat and drink, pressures in the mouth change. Therefore, consuming foods and fluids can increase the risk of damage, levels of discomfort, and irritation. The act of chewing puts pressure on the teeth, which can be detrimental in many dental emergencies. For example, if a tooth is fractured, it may eventually fall apart due to chewing forces. Likewise, using a straw reduces air pressure in the mouth and may lead to a dry socket if a tooth is newly missing.

To play it safe, patients must keep their mouths relaxed and rest until they visit the emergency dentist.

Call Our Emergency Dentist Right Now

To summarize, a dental emergency can be alarming, but it’s essential to follow the three C’s and be (1) calm, (2) clean, and (3) cautious before visiting the emergency dentist. Whether someone has suffered from dental trauma or an oral health complication has escalated, visiting an emergency dentist may turn out to be necessary. Give our experienced emergency dental team a ring as soon as possible to find out how we can help. Call (580)-255-4880 or contact us online to schedule an emergency dental appointment in Duncan, OK.

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Not sure what necessitates urgent dental care? Let’s discuss common signs of a dental emergency and how to handle it. 

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Trauma like a car accident or sports injury may require urgent dental care. In those cases, it is best to seek immediate medical attention at a nearby emergency room. Nonetheless, an emergency dentist should still be contacted as soon as possible following an injury to the mouth. 

Dental emergencies do not always have to be the result of trauma. Indications of a dental emergency unaccompanied by an injury might include:

• Inflamed or bleeding gums. If you notice that your gums are red or bleeding, then these might be the early signs of gum disease. Treatment should be administered promptly to avoid infection or tooth loss.
• Loose teeth or teeth that fall out. Wiggly teeth in young children is normal; loose teeth in adults is not. If you have loose teeth or teeth that have fallen out, an emergency dentist will be able to pinpoint the issue and remediate the problem.
• A toothache or mouth pain. Oral pain can indicate something more serious, like a cracked tooth or an abscess. Regardless of the cause, aches and pains in the mouth need to be addressed immediately.
• Swollen face, jaw, or neck. Swelling can be the sign of an infected tooth, a cyst, or a tumor.
• A sore mouth or changes in tongue texture. Noticing persistent mouth soreness or new lumps and bumps on your tongue? These might be the signs of oral cancer, and you should contact an emergency dentist immediately.
• Extreme tooth sensitivity. Not only is tooth sensitivity annoying, but it could also mean that the nerves of the tooth are exposed. If this is the case, then emergency care is needed to protect the delicate nerves from injury or infection.

What To Do In The Case of an Emergency

The first thing to do in a dental emergency is to stay calm. Next, schedule an emergency dental visit. Until then, here are some ways to deal with common dental emergencies:

• A Loose tooth. Leave it alone! A dentist can stabilize the tooth at your visit, but leaving it alone will prevent the tooth from falling out.
• A tooth that’s been knocked out. If you can make it to a dentist quickly, then a knocked out tooth might be salvageable. Try to put the tooth gently back into the socket. If that’s not possible, then keep the tooth hydrated in either your mouth or a glass of milk.
• An abscessed tooth. Rinse your mouth with salt water. The salt water will temporarily relieve the pain while also keeping the area clean.
• A cracked or fractured tooth. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications will help with pain and swelling until you can see a dentist.
• A loose dental crown. A loose dental crown can fall off and accidentally be ingested. Take extra precautions while eating or brushing your teeth.

Marlow Dentist for Emergencies

Accidents happen to the best of us. If you’re in need of an emergency dentist, let Dr. Bridges and his attentive team take care of you. Call our office at (580)-255-4880 or contact us online. 

The post What to Know About Dental Emergencies appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies cover a wide range of problems and injuries. What separates an emergency from a dental problem is the sudden onset of pain and risk to your health. Dental emergencies cannot wait to be treated. If you experience one of the following situations outside of our normal business hours, you will need to seek help at an emergency room or suitable health clinic. Dental emergencies can include:

• Traumatic injuries to your teeth or jaw
• The sudden onset of pain in or near your mouth
• A severely cracked or chipped tooth
• Tooth abscess
• Lost crown or filling

No matter what type of dental emergency you are experiencing, quick attention can increase the chances of saving your tooth and preventing further complications.

Tips For How to Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

More than five million adults and children experience a knocked-out tooth every year in the United States. If your tooth has been knocked out, the first step is to try and place the tooth back into its original socket. Be careful not to touch the exposed root of the tooth. Pick up the tooth by its crown. Every precaution should be taken to not contaminate the root of the tooth. These steps will ensure that the tissue is not damaged and that the tooth does not become infected later on. While the tooth is in your mouth, take extra care to not swallow it.

If you are unable to hold the tooth in your socket, rinse it off with water and place it in a container of milk. Tap water is not a healthy way to preserve a knocked-out tooth. Placing the tooth in your mouth is another way to keep it moist while you travel to our dental clinic. You can use gauze or similar material to control bleeding from your tooth socket.

Your goal should be to see our office within 30 minutes after the accident. If your trip to our office takes longer, don’t lose hope. Some teeth have been reattached as long as an hour after the initial tooth loss. With proper attention and quick action, your tooth can be reattached at our office.

Catch Problems Before They Become Emergencies

If you have lost a tooth or experienced trauma to your mouth, time is of the essence. The single most important factor that will determine if your tooth can be saved is the time between your tooth loss and arrival at our Duncan, OK office. Dr. Bridges has the tools and expertise to immediately address your injury.

Many dental emergencies can be prevented with regular dental exams and cleanings. Small cavities, for example, can easily be cleaned and sealed before they develop into an advanced infection that requires tooth extraction or a root canal.

Visit Dr. Bridges at Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK before trauma strikes. As our patient, you’ll have access to a dentist who can treat and, more importantly, help you prevent dental emergencies. Call (580) 255-4880, or contact us online, to schedule your appointment today.

The post What Do I Do If My Tooth Is Knocked Out? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

The world is full of ways to fall and crack a tooth, but you can’t stay cooped up in your house forever! Focus on what you can control, like having a top-notch dentist to call when disaster does strike.

Don’t risk your oral health. Choose a dentist with training, experience, and cutting-edge technology. Choose Dr. Matthew Bridges.

When you visit Dr. Bridges for regular checkups and cleanings, he’ll conduct a thorough exam. He may detect small issues – like a surface cavity or chip – and they can be addressed with restorative dental care. If a cavity is left untreated, you could end up with an insatiable toothache. A small crack left unattended can become a deep, painful crack. Your chance for experiencing a dental emergency will decrease dramatically. However, you have to do your part as a responsible patient: make consistent six-month checkups and cleanings, and visit us when you notice an abnormality or have oral pain.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, we also don’t want finances to prevent you from seeking help. Dr. Bridges makes sure we maintain affordable prices for our services. We are in-network with Health Choice and Delta Premier, but we accept many different insurance plans and will file on your behalf. We also accept Medicare and even offer third-party financing through CareCredit, an institution that offers low- and no-interest loans to qualified patients.

Though you can’t be certain that dental emergencies won’t happen to you, you can be prepared. To start, enter Dr. Bridges’ office number into your phone right now: (580) 255-4880.

Common Dental Emergencies

Cracked Tooth

Teeth may seem unbreakable. After all, diamonds are the only naturally-occurring compound that’s harder than tooth enamel. Regardless, a blow to the mouth or a bite on hard candy can cause a tooth to chip or crack. Some cracks are so tiny that they can only be seen through a microscope, but others can split a tooth in two, exposing the nerve; this is quite painful. If you chip or crack a tooth, call Dr. Bridges immediately, and understand that cracks can worsen with time.

Knocked-out Tooth

There are many ways to accidentally knock out a tooth, especially for a kid who plays sports. Luckily, Dr. Bridges treats kids. If your tooth gets knocked out, save it! Be careful to pick it up by the crown, because touching the root could damage the nerve and prevent it from naturally reattaching. Rinse it off, store it in water or milk, and contact our office as soon as possible to increase the chances of successfully reconnecting the tooth.

Lost Crown or Filling

If you feel your crown or filling coming loose, make sure you don’t swallow it. Don’t try to replace a filling. A fully intact, displaced crown might be reattached. Rubbing a bit of Vaseline on the back of the thoroughly dried crown, then reseating the crown on your dried tooth, can temporarily bond it to your tooth while you contact our office.

Painful Cavity

Toothaches can signal a range of issues: internal infection, a chip or crack, or a cavity. Dental cavities vary in severity, but if left untreated, the decay can spread and infect the tooth’s core, or surrounding teeth, or the gums. If you have a toothache, it’s past time to make an appointment. Call us, and we’ll see you the same day, if at all possible.

Sometimes, a toothache is caused by an abscess. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can form a pocket of bacterial infection, called an abscess, in the gums, in the tooth itself, or at the tooth root in the jawbone. If Dr. Bridges can save an abscessed tooth, he will suggest a root canal or another procedure. In some cases, extraction is the only option. After extraction, the tooth should be replaced so the upper and lower teeth fit together for a balanced bite.

Visit Dr. Matthew Bridges at Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK before trauma strikes. As our patient, you’ll have access to a dentist who can treat and, more importantly, help you prevent dental emergencies. Call (580) 255-4880, or contact us online, to schedule your appointment today.

The post Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies and Toothaches! appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Do you have a toothache? A dental extraction in Duncan, OK may be an option for you. To learn more, contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center at (580) 255-4880.

Dental Extraction in Duncan, OK

Dr. Bridges uses gentle techniques and methods when performing a tooth extraction. After freeing the tooth from the surrounding tissues and ligaments, he carefully lifts it from the socket. In some cases, Dr. Bridges may divide the tooth into smaller segments for easier removal. At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we offer nitrous oxide to alleviate anxiety and induce relaxation during treatment.

When is a Dental Extraction Necessary?

In many cases, an infected or damaged tooth can be repaired with root canal therapy. When this is not possible, however, tooth removal may be necessary. In the sections below, we will explore five common scenarios in which a dental extraction may be recommended.

Irreparable Damage

If a cavity or fracture extends into the pulp of a tooth, the damage could be irreparable. If root canal therapy has been ruled out, an extraction can be performed to eliminate infection and prevent bacteria from spreading to other teeth.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease begins as an infection in the gums. As the condition progresses, it can erode the jawbone that supports the teeth, causing mobility. If detected early, gum treatments can reduce bacteria levels and prevent future bone loss. However, if the condition has become advanced, affected teeth may need to be removed.

Impaction

If teeth become impacted in the jawbone, it can place excessive pressure on the neighboring teeth and increase the risk for dental infections. If an impacted tooth has a negative impact on your overall oral health, then a dental extraction may be necessary to treat the problem.

Overcrowding

When the teeth are overlapped or crowded, brushing and flossing is much more difficult. This is one primary reason so many individuals opt for orthodontic treatment. In some cases, overcrowding may be caused by a small jawbone or too many teeth. In these instances, dental extractions may be recommended before beginning orthodontic treatment. This will effectively make so that the remaining teeth can be moved into their desired positions.

Trauma

If you have sustained an injury, such as a fall, an automobile crash, or a sport-related accident, restorative dentistry can often repair the damage. For example, crowns, veneers, dental bonding, and bridges are all effective options for repairing or replacing damaged teeth. However, if the damage is extensive, a dental extraction may be necessary.
Of course, the only way to know for sure if you need a tooth extraction is to schedule a visit with your dentist. After evaluating the affected tooth, he or she can determine if it can be saved, or if removing it would be more predictable for your long-term oral health.

Contact Our Duncan, OK Practice Today

If you suspect you might need a dental extraction in Duncan, OK, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bridges. He can assess the affected tooth and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Contact us online or give us a call at (580) 255-4880 to learn more.


The post When is a Dental Extraction Necessary? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.