Tooth Extractions

Preparing for a tooth extraction can be a daunting experience. That’s why our team is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality dental care and personalized attention in a comfortable environment. We are here to listen to your specific needs and provide gentle, knowledgeable care for all of our patients throughout every step of the process. Together, we will ensure your tooth extraction is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

When are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

We believe that tooth extraction should always be a last resort. However, there are some cases when removing a tooth is the best and safest option for our patients. There are several reasons why a tooth extraction may be necessary. Below are some of the most common situations where tooth extraction is needed:

Severe Tooth Decay: When a tooth becomes severely damaged by decay, an extraction may be recommended in order to protect other teeth from being affected.
Fractured Tooth: If a tooth has been fractured and cannot be repaired with a dental filling or crown, an extraction may be necessary.
Impacted Tooth: When an adult tooth fails to erupt, an impacted tooth may need to be extracted in order for the other teeth to have room to move into place properly.
Crowded Teeth: If your mouth is too crowded and there is not enough room for all of your teeth, some may need to be removed so that the remaining teeth are properly aligned.
Severe Gum Disease: If gum disease has progressed to the point where a tooth can no longer be saved, an extraction may be recommended in order to stop the spread of infection.
Physical Trauma: If a tooth has been damaged or knocked out due to physical trauma, an extraction may be necessary.

Tooth Extraction Process

In order to ensure the best outcome and avoid complications, we first use advanced digital X-rays to examine the site of your tooth extraction and make sure that we’re getting the entire picture. Next, we will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. For patients with strong dental phobia, we offer dental sedation, such as laughing gas, to help ease anxiety.

Once you are comfortable and the area is numbed, our team gently loosens and lifts your tooth using specialized tools. Afterward, we clean out any debris in the socket to ensure proper healing of the extraction site. We often place dissolvable stitches in order to avoid a return visit, but will also use non-dissolvable stitches when appropriate for more complex extractions.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

When it comes to tooth extractions, proper aftercare is essential for optimal healing. Here are some tips on how to look after your mouth following a tooth extraction:

Keep the area clean by gently rinsing with saltwater three to four times a day and brushing normally everywhere else (avoid touching the extraction site).
Take any prescribed antibiotics or medications to help with pain and reduce swelling.
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 24 to 48 hours following your extraction.
Stick to softer foods such as eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soup. Also avoid using straws as sucking through a straw can cause bleeding at the extraction site.