Dental extractions are not generally considered a first line of treatment, but there are many reasons a dental extraction may become necessary. Teeth that are broken or severely decayed and cannot be repaired with a filling, crown, or root canal treatment may need to be extracted. Teeth that are blocking other teeth or crowding misaligned teeth may also need to be removed. Wisdom teeth may need to be extracted if they are impacted, decayed, crowded, or causing pain or swelling.

Two types of extractions are available: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction. A simple extraction may be performed on teeth that are visible and can be removed through pulling alone. A surgical extraction may be performed on a tooth that has broken at or near the gumline or has not yet erupted, and it generally needs to be done by an oral surgeon.

Although anesthesia will be provided to manage your discomfort during the tooth extraction procedure, talk to our dentist if you suffer from dental anxiety. You may have options for sedation dentistry that can help manage your anxiety and make the procedure more comfortable for you.

After the procedure, our dentist will provide you with after-care instructions. You may need over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen for a simple dental extraction, or you may need stronger prescription pain medications if you had a surgical extraction. You may also need to apply ice packs for a specific period after the procedure in order to reduce swelling, followed by warm compresses to ease soreness and stiffness. If you were given stitches, they will dissolve within a week or two. If you were instructed to use salt-water rinses, they may facilitate this process. Patients should also avoid smoking or may need to drink through a straw after an extraction.

After your tooth extraction, our general dentist may discuss your restoration options with you. Dental implants are often one of the best options and can help maintain bone density in the jaw. You may also be able to have a bridge or partial or full denture.

Contact our dental office today to learn more about your options or to schedule your appointment.