How A Prosthodontist Can Help After Your Tooth Needs To Be Extracted

Posted on: 24 April 2023

Tooth loss is a common medical event for patients who suffer from various health conditions. For example, patients who have diabetes will sometimes experience tooth loss as a result. Teeth are also more likely to wear down as the patient ages. To restore a lost tooth, speaking with a prosthodontist is essential.

Your Appointment with a Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist will assess the health of your teeth and will determine if a tooth needs to be extracted. If you have an infected tooth, you could treat it through a root canal or a similar treatment. However, if none of these treatments are effective, you might need to have your tooth extracted.

The Tooth Extraction Process

When your tooth is extracted, the prosthodontist will apply an anesthetic and isolate your tooth from the other teeth. Then the dentist will then use dental instruments to remove the tooth gently. Depending on the tooth's position, the dentist may need to remove some surrounding bone or gum tissue to extract the tooth. Once your tooth has been extracted, it's time to discuss how it will need to be replaced.

How Your Tooth Might Be Replaced

The most common way to replace a lost tooth is for a prosthodontist to insert an implant into your jaw. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can replace one or more missing teeth and provide a place to attach a dental crown, bridge, or denture. 

Tooth Replacement Options

With dental implants, your prosthodontist can attach one of several types of appliances, such as a dental bridge. This is a fixed appliance that can be used to replace a missing tooth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth secured by crowns.

Crowns refer to a cap placed over a damaged tooth. They help restore the function of the tooth, and they might also be attached to a dental implant. These appliances can last for a long time if you take good care of them.

How to Take Care of Your New Implant

Avoid smoking and eating hard foods such as nuts for a dental implant to last a while. If you've damaged a crown or dental implant, bring this up with your dentist.

Make sure to take good care of your gums. While brushing your teeth, do not use a soft-bristled brush. If you experience any pain or if it feels like your dental implant is becoming dislodged, make sure to talk to a prosthodontist care center.

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