Tooth Extractions

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 Only your dentist can tell you if you need a tooth extraction.  However, you may be a candidate for the procedure if one or more of your  teeth are decayed so severely that a filling or other restoration is  not a possibility for treatment.

If you and your dentist decide to extract one or more teeth, you  will be scheduled to return for oral surgery at a later date. You will  be given a local anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure, and  you may be prescribed medications to help manage pain in the hours  following your extraction. Depending on the nature of your extraction  and other factors, such as whether your teeth are impacted, you may also  be sedated during your procedure.

Add an answer to this item.Post-operative care following a tooth extraction is essential for  healing and preventing complications. You will be instructed to avoid  certain foods and also keep the surgical site clean at all times. If you  are prescribed an antibiotic, it is important that you complete the  course of treatment to prevent infection. Finally, you may be advised to  avoid smoking or drinking through a straw, as doing so may delay the  healing process and cause a condition known as ‘dry socket.’

You may need your wisdom teeth removed if you  have one or more impacted wisdom teeth or if you are having difficulty  adequately cleaning those that have emerged. It is recommended that all  young adults be evaluated. A consultation and x-ray can reveal  impaction, damage to neighboring teeth, signs of decay, gum disease, or  perceived complications with future wisdom tooth eruption.

Most wisdom removals take only minutes to perform, but you’ll be  under local anesthesia or sedation to prevent discomfort. If your are  anxious one, ask your doctor about laughing gas. Once the teeth are  removed, the gums are sutured shut. Keep in mind that you will need a  responsible driver to take you home following the extraction, as it will  not be safe for you to drive after being heavily sedated.

Yes. You’ll need to keep the extraction site clean and free of  debris for the first couple of weeks after the wisdom teeth removal.  You’ll also need to take all medications exactly as prescribed by our  dentists. Avoid sucking through a straw for the first several days after  surgery, and notify our dentists if you experience fever or discomfort  that worsens after a few days.

You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has  allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal  could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as  much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the  healthy and diseased portions of your tooth. For more information about  root canals and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam  and consultation at your earliest convenience.