Marion, AR Family Dentist

Wayne Cook, D.D.S.
303 Bancario Rd.Suite 7
Marion, AR 72364
870-739-8799

Signs You May Need an Extraction Marion, AR

Doctor

Tooth ExtractionYou're in pain. Your jaw is swollen, and your tooth is sensitive to heat and cold. Do you need a dental extraction? These signs and others may indicate your tooth is in jeopardy, but only your family dentist in Marion, Dr. Wayne Cook, can tell for sure. His experience and skill assure you of an accurate diagnosis and successful extraction if needed.

Danger signs

What tells Dr. Cook your tooth needs an extraction? X-rays and visual examination are part of the story, as are symptoms of:

  • A toothache
  • Jaw and gum swelling
  • Drainage and bad breath
  • Tooth mobility
  • Visible damage such as a deep crack, large chip or lost filling
  • Sensitivity to pressure and temperature extremes

While fillings, crowns and root canal therapy save many the ailing tooth, some teeth are just too far gone and must be pulled.

Other problems

Sometimes a tooth needs extraction because it's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Examples of these situations include:

  • Baby teeth which won't allow underlying adult teeth to erupt
  • Teeth in the way of cancer therapy (radiation)
  • Wisdom teeth, or third molars, which enter an adolescent's mouth crooked or not at all because they are impacted in bone or gum tissue
  • Teeth which are too large for a patient's jaw, causing misalignment and overcrowding
  • Impacted canine teeth (the American Association of Orthodontists recommends X-rays by age seven to determine the position of incoming teeth)

Your treatment plan

Whatever the problem, your Marion family dentist will devise the treatment plan to correct it and give you the healthiest, best-looking smile possible.

If the plan includes extraction, expect a comfortable treatment under local anesthetic or other pain control option. While most extractions are called simple extractions (the dentist just pulls the tooth using handheld tools), others are more complex.

Either way, Dr. Cook will follow your case carefully post procedure and recommend the following aftercare:

  • Over the counter analgesics for pain
  • Biting on sterile gauze to stop bleeding
  • Oral antibiotics if the tooth was abscessed
  • Rinsing with salt water
  • Eating a soft diet
  • No brushing, smoking or drinking with a straw so the blood clot stays in the socket

This last caution helps prevent a condition called "dry socket." Dry socket happens when suction or other condition interferes with the blood clot which forms after extraction. The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine says that 3 to 4 percent of dry sockets become infected and must be avoided if at all possible.

Don't worry

No one wants to lose a tooth, but count on Dr. Wayne Cook and his team for an extraction that's performed properly and for tooth replacement options which make sense for your case. Call the office right away if you have worrisome dental symptoms. We're here to help. Phone (870) 739-8799.

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today 870-739-8799

303 Bancario Rd. Marion, AR 72634