Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction may be necessary when other treatment is insufficient to address theproblem. Modern dentistry has seen great improvements in keeping you comfortable during an extraction procedure.

There are many methods and tools available to our dentists today that will help to keep you comfortable throughout your extraction. The thought of a tooth extraction can be very scary, but the truth is that many dentists today have better methods and tools to keep you comfortable during your extraction.

The first step in removing a tooth is sedation in the form of a pill used to relax patients. Then we place local anesthetic into the patient’s mouth. This allows the dentist to perform the procedure with complete comfort and safety. During this procedure, your dentist will use various tools to help achieve good access under your gum line, then remove the tooth gently and steadily. Most patients only ever describe feeling a small amount of pressure throughout the whole procedure and experience minimal discomfort.

There are many ways to remove teeth, but all of them involve loosening the tooth from its socket so it can be removed. The tooth may be cut into smaller pieces so it can be removed more easily. Our dentists will use special pliers called forceps to grasp your tooth and apply enough pressure to loosen it from its socket. When your tooth is loose, they will gently pull it out of your mouth.

Tooth extraction aftercare

1. Icing: If you can keep a cold compress on and off the extraction site for about 48 hours immediately following your procedure, it will help to reduce swelling and pain.  You can use a frozen vegetable bag, or a bag of crushed ice covered by a towel.  You should apply it for 10 minutes at a time with a 30-60 minute break in between applications. This can be started immediately after surgery while still numb, but is not required.
2. Avoid Straws: For 48 hours after surgery, do not drink out of straws or anything that takes a sip of air when you pull away from it (like an open cup). This may cause delayed bleeding and dry socket formation which is very painful.
3. Eating: Try to eat soft foods for 3 days following your extraction; this includes things like soup, pasta and mashed potatoes.