Teeth Extractions in Missoula, MT
At Nelson Dentistry, we strive to keep your natural teeth healthy so that you can protect your beautiful smile. We know that you depend on your smile every single day, which is why we do everything in our power to help you maintain and improve upon your oral health. 
Despite everyone’s best efforts, however, you might sometimes encounter unforeseen circumstances or dental injuries that will require the removal of one of your teeth. While tooth extraction is never ideal, it’s sometimes necessary to preserve the rest of your smile. We want you to be able to showcase a healthy, thriving set of teeth—and sometimes removing an injured tooth is the only way to do that.
Our tooth extractions in Missoula, MT are always a last resort, but they are often necessary. When you visit our dental office, our dentists might recommend you have a tooth extracted for one or more of the following reasons:
- Your wisdom teeth need to come out
- Your mouth is too crowded for braces or Invisalign
- A root canal is not enough to save your damaged tooth
- A tooth is too infected or decayed for repair
- Gum disease damaged a tooth
- We cannot place your dentures until we remove a tooth
- Fractures in your tooth are making it painful for you to chew and bite
Tooth extraction is a necessary part of many patients’ dental treatment plans. Our Missoula dentists always consider other treatment options before recommending removal. If we advocate for extraction, it’s because we genuinely believe that removing the tooth is the best thing for the smile.
Do you have questions about tooth extraction? Are you worried about a cracked or decayed tooth in your mouth? Give us a call at Nelson Dentistry today so we can walk you through your treatment options. You can reach our helpful clinical staff by calling (406) 542-3305.
- Do you really need to extract my wisdom teeth?
- Will my tooth extraction hurt?
- How should I care for my tooth extraction site?
Do you really need to extract my wisdom teeth?
The answer for most patients is “yes.” Our Missoula dentist office, we commonly perform wisdom teeth extractions.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are your mouth’s final set of molars. Your wisdom teeth develop in the far back of your mouth and live behind your second set of molars. You typically get your wisdom teeth during your late teens or early adult years, and you can have anywhere from zero to four wisdom teeth. You most likely have at least one of your wisdom teeth, and don’t be surprised if you have all four!
Because your wisdom teeth develop so far back in your mouth, their development can pose many problems. If there is no room for your wisdom teeth in your smile, they may begin to crowd your other teeth and cause them to shift.
Your wisdom teeth can also erupt at a strange angle that negatively effects your other teeth. Angled wisdom teeth are growing in the wrong direction within your mouth, which means that when they do try to break through your gum line, they will usually do so sideways. In addition to being extremely painful, this positioning can push your other teeth out of alignment.
Some wisdom teeth can get stuck below your gumline and never erupt above the surface at all. Such teeth are known as “impacted” wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, these teeth are prone to infection.
For these reasons, as well as several others, we typically recommend wisdom tooth extraction in Missoula, MT. Luckily, wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure, and our dentists know just what to do to help keep you comfortable and calm throughout your treatment. If you have questions about your wisdom teeth or suspect they may need extracting, please contact our dentists at (406) 542-3305.
Will my tooth extraction hurt?
Every tooth extraction is a little bit different. Generally speaking, tooth extractions do not hurt during the procedure. Instead, you would likely feel pressure and slight pulling sensations. You could reasonably expect mild to moderate pain to follow your procedure, which you could easily manage with pain medications and remedies such as following a soft diet and taking it easy for the first few days after treatment.
You should never delay getting a tooth extraction that you need because you’re afraid of the pain. In most situations, the pain you feel because of your damaged, decayed, impacted, cracked, or infected tooth will far outweigh the pain you would feel as a result of tooth extraction. The purpose of tooth extraction in Missoula is to relieve your discomfort and pain and provide the relief you need.
Still, we understand that the thought of tooth extraction might be terrifying. It’s normal to experience fear and anxiety at the idea of having your teeth extracted, especially if you’ve never lost a tooth before.
Our extraction dentists in Missoula, MT specialize in helping patients feel at ease and at peace with their treatment, even if that treatment puts those patients out of their comfort zones. Our ultimate goal—and the most fundamental objective of dentistry—is to give your smile the best chance at staying healthy and strong.
Our Missoula dental office can help you with most standard tooth extractions. If it is a particularly tricky tooth, a complicated wisdom tooth, or if you would like to be deeply sedated, then we will help connect you with one of our talented local oral surgeons.
How should I care for my tooth extraction site?
If your extraction is taking place at Nelson Dentistry, Dr. Nelson takes every step necessary to make sure that you are comfortable and that you don't feel anything throughout the process by using the best dental anesthetics. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how smooth their procedure is.
After we’re done with your tooth extraction, we will make sure you’re fully prepared to care for your mouth at home in the days to come. Our clinical staff can answer any questions you might have regarding your extracted tooth. Generally speaking, after tooth extraction in Missoula, MT, you should:
- Rest and take a few days off of work or school
- Get plenty of sleep and elevate your head when lying down
- Drink lots of water
- Stick to soft foods for the first one to two days
- Avoid brushing your extraction site or the teeth immediately neighboring
Likewise, shortly after your Missoula tooth extraction, you should not:
- Use straws
- Smoke
- Exercise or participate in contact sports
- Vigorously rinse your mouth
- Use toothpaste to brush your other teeth
It is normal to experience some discomfort or swelling after your extraction, and you can take prescribed pain medication as needed. Our treatment team is here to guide you through the recovery process, and you should feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Contact Nelson Dentistry for Tooth Extractions in Missoula
If you have been told that you need a tooth removed, we encourage you to contact Nelson Dentistry and schedule a consultation with Dr. Nelson. He will guide you through the process and determine the best options so that your extraction is as smooth and painless as possible.
Give us a call today at (406) 542-3305 to arrange a convenient time for a dental appointment and learn more about how we can help you with your tooth extraction in Missoula, MT!
Frequently Asked Questions
We turn to teeth extractions in Missoula, MT when our dentists exhaust other treatment options.
When your tooth is damaged beyond repair, it's time for an extraction. But how do you know if your tooth needs extracting?
Most likely, the first symptom you will notice when you need a tooth extraction is severe pain. Teeth that need to come out of your mouth will be painful, and the pain can be so intense that you struggle to get through your daily routine. If you notice extreme pain, the best thing to do is call our Missoula dentist right away. We can examine your smile and determine if your tooth needs extracting.
Other signs or symptoms you might observe when your tooth needs extracting are:
- Swollen, tender, or inflamed gums localized around a tooth
- Jaw pain
- Tooth pain that gets worse when you chew food or bite down
- A cracked tooth that's broken into multiple pieces within your mouth
When something is severely "off" in your mouth, you will likely instinctively know. If you recognize that something isn't right with your smile, please contact our treatment team at Nelson Dentistry right away by calling (406) 542-3305. We will walk you through how to best proceed and help you determine if you need teeth extractions in Missoula, MT.
Wisdom teeth extraction is a standard procedure that most Americans need to undergo. It is entirely reasonable to feel nervous before the treatment, but patients should know there is no reason to feel anxious.
How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Take?
Generally, removing a wisdom tooth takes under an hour in our Missoula dental office. The actual surgical procedure is not painful because patients will be under local anesthesia. They will feel the same amount of discomfort that a cavity does.
At Nelson Dentistry, Dr. Jonathan Nelson and his amazing dental team work hard to make sure all patients feel comfortable and happy.
We make sure that patients are numb or asleep throughout the entire extraction, the most discomfort they will feel is when the local anesthesia wears off. For this, we recommend over-the-counter pain medication.
Once the procedure is done, Dr. Nelson will stitch the wounds to allow quick healing; they will dissolve by themselves after a few days.
We may apply clean gauze to soak any blood; if bleeding doesn't stop, contact us immediately.
After Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
As with any surgery, it's normal to feel groggy and dreamy after the anesthesia wears off. Patients can also expect some inflammation and swelling for the next couple of days.
If you are feeling a severe and sharp pain, let us know immediately.
We recommend that patients rest and only eat soft foods for a few days until the stitches naturally dissolve.
This is the best time to catch up on your beauty sleep! Or your favorite shows and movies, or curl up with a book.
Are Your Wisdom Teeth Acting Up?
There's no reason to suffer needlessly; we can extract your teeth in one dental visit and get you back to your normal life.
After tooth extractions, you should stick to a soft diet and avoid chewing on the extraction site for a day or two. It’s also important not to eat anything too hot or cold until the anesthesia wears off. Your dentist may provide a customized list of the foods you should eat, but as a rule, you should stick to textures like those found in:
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Creamed soups
- Ice cream
- Custard
- Pureed vegetables
- Baby food
- Broths and shakes
Reasons for Teeth Extractions in Missoula, MT
Extractions are sometimes necessary to preserve the comfort and health of your smile. Additionally, extractions can lay the groundwork for treatments like orthodontics or complete dentures.
Reasons you might need extractions include:
- Severely decayed or broken tooth
- Failed root canal therapy
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Troublesome wisdom teeth
- Before dentures or orthodontics
If you have extractions due to decay, breakage, or a failed root canal, your dentist will recommend tooth replacement to preserve your smile.
Contact Your Missoula, MT, Dentist
If you have a broken or fractured tooth and want to consult the dentist about extraction, give us a call today. And don’t forget to ask about our exclusive in-house financing, including limits and exclusions. We are also happy to accept third-party financing through CareCredit.
Tooth extractions at Nelson Dentistry are painless and gentle. Modern dentistry and advanced technology allow us to provide the most comfortable and streamlined procedures possible.
Your comfort and safety are our top priority, and we will do everything we can to ensure you have a pleasant and personalized experience. We work closely with our team and patients, so everyone is on the same page and understands the procedure and expectations, including recovery.
Our Experienced Missoula Dentists
Our Missoula, MT extraction dentists specialize in supporting patients and helping them feel at peace during their treatment. We never pressure patients to receive treatment; the ultimate decision is yours. Our team is always transparent and respectful about patients’ oral health and treatment needs, and we aim to educate our patients, so they make informed decisions about their oral health care.
Ultimately, our goal is to give your smile the best opportunity to stay healthy, strong, and comfortable. Our Missoula dental office provides standard tooth extractions, but if you have a complicated tooth or need deep sedation, we can connect you with one of our trusted local oral surgeons.
Why Might I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Our dentists at Nelson dentistry only recommend teeth extractions as a last resort to protect a patient’s oral health and wellness.
Common reasons you might need a tooth extraction are:
- Dental impaction
- Wisdom teeth
- Severe tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Dental trauma or damage (e.g., breaks, cracks)
- Overcrowding
The only way to determine if you need a dental extraction is to see your dentist for a comprehensive oral health exam. Your dentist can evaluate your smile and create a customized treatment plan based on your needs and goals.
Gentle Teeth Extractions in Missoula, MT
Do you have a painful or damaged tooth? Please give us a call to schedule your appointment with Dr. Jonathan Nelson at Nelson Dentistry.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Jonathan Nelson
Dentist
I am no stranger to Montana. From about preschool to 3rd grade I lived in Missoula near Chief Charlo Elementary. In fact, I was part of the inaugural 3rd grade class at Chief Charlo when it first opened. Before that, I attended C.M. Russell Elementary just down the road from our current dental office! Then, due to my parent’s job relocation, we moved to Helena, MT.
I graduated from Capital High School and then went on to graduate at Montana State with the degree of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Similarly to ...
Featured Blog Posts - Teeth Extractions
Preparing for Tooth Extractions: Tips for a Smooth Experience
Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that might be necessary due to decay, injury, or orthodontic reasons. At Nelson Dentistry, we understand preparing for teeth extractions in Missoula, MT, can be daunting. To ensure a smooth and less stressful experience, here are some tips to follow before your appointment.
1. Know What to Expect
Knowledge is power, so your dentist in Missoula will discuss the entire procedure in detail with you. Understanding why the extraction is necessary and what to expect can alleviate some of your anxiety. Dr. Nelson will ...
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Healing Process After Extraction?
The best way to speed up the healing process after a tooth extraction is to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist. And always call our dental office if you have questions.
Aftercare instructions from your Missoula dentist are designed to accelerate healing and keep you comfortable. Often the dentist provides customized instructions for best results or based on your specific case.
Reasons You Might Need a Dental Extraction
One of the most common dental extractions we perform is for broken or damaged teeth. Sometimes split and fractured teeth result from ...