Tooth Extraction

At Dentalnook, tooth removal is a treatment we provide, but it's never our first choice. Our focus is on saving your natural tooth and exploring all possible alternatives before considering extraction. Tooth removal is only recommended when it becomes absolutely necessary for your oral health.

When is it necessary to get a tooth removed?

In some cases, a tooth extraction may become a necessity, like when you have:

• Severely Decayed or Damaged Teeth: When a tooth is beyond repair due to extensive decay or damage, removal is the only viable solution. For instance, teeth that fracture after a root canal due to a delay in placing a crown often cannot be saved. After an RCT (Root Canal Treatment), it is critical to cap the tooth promptly to prevent such fractures.
• Milk Teeth That Haven't Fallen Naturally: Sometimes, baby teeth (deciduous teeth) don’t shed when they are supposed to, and permanent teeth start to erupt in their place. When we remove these milk teeth, we ensure that your permanent teeth come out in proper alignment and support a healthy and beautiful smile.
• Tooth Extraction for Dental Braces: When you are recommended to wear braces, your dentist may ask you to get some teeth extracted. This type of tooth removal intends to create space to accommodate the rest of the teeth when they are being brought in proper alignment through braces.
• Loose Teeth Due to Periodontitis: Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, can lead to severely loose teeth. When gum disease is just in its early phase, we can treat it and save your gums and teeth. But, if you have sought care at an advanced stage then you may require extraction. As soon as you recover from extraction you can go for long-lasting options of tooth replacement such as dental implants.
• Problematic Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often cause issues due to misalignment, decay, or pressure on adjacent teeth. They can also lead to cheek biting or pain. As they play a minimal role in chewing, removing troublesome wisdom teeth is usually the best course of action.
• Teeth in Unusual Places: Teeth that grow in unusual places, like the palate, can cause discomfort or other complications, making extraction necessary.

At Dentalnook, we ensure a comfortable, pain-free tooth removal process tailored to your needs. Let us help you maintain a healthy, trouble-free smile!

What can you expect in a tooth extraction procedure?

A detailed dental and medical history is what we like to begin with. This is the time when we gather complete information regarding any meds you are on, the health conditions you are suffering, any previous surgery you have undergone, and any disease that runs in your family.

We take an X-ray of your tooth. This gives us a clear picture of the tooth’s condition within the jawbone and the health of the surrounding bone.

To ensure a painless experience, we carefully inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. For some, the thought of an injection makes them nervous. In that cases, we can apply a numbing gel first so you won’t feel the slightest pinch. Then we wait until the anesthetic takes effect in a few minutes.

For patients who need extra relaxation, we also offer IV (Intravenous) sedation, which keeps you calm and stress-free during the procedure.

Once the area is fully numb, we use an elevator tool to loosen the gum covering the tooth and then gently remove it using special forceps.

Special Cases: Surgical Extractions

In situations where the tooth is buried in the gums or broken deep within the gums, we consider it for a surgical extraction. Our skilled dental experts are equipped to handle complex surgical procedures with precision and care.

If needed, we will place sutures to ensure proper healing. We will schedule a follow-up visit in 3 to 5 days to remove the sutures and check on your recovery.

Considerations Before Tooth Extraction

• Refrain from smoking prior to your tooth extraction, as it can interfere with healing.
• You can eat up to an hour before the procedure, but avoid heavy meals right before.
• Take the day off from your usual activities to ensure proper rest and recovery after the dental surgery.
• Discuss your medical history and any current medications with your dentist to avoid complications.
• If you are having a surgical procedure and you have decided to get it done under IV sedation, consider having someone drive you to the dental office and pick you up after the procedure. You may not be fit to drive yourself.

Post-extraction Care Instructions

• Once the tooth is removed, a clean, sterile piece of gauze is placed at the site. Your doctor will ask you to gently bite down on it. This step helps apply pressure to control any bleeding and encourages a natural blood clot to form, which is essential for healing. Make sure to keep the gauze in place for at least half an hour to give the clot a chance to set.
• Avoid spitting as it may loosen up the clot. Remember, clots are like nature’s bandage as they are crucial for proper recovery.
• To help manage swelling and discomfort right after the procedure, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 10-minute intervals. This simple step can make a big difference in minimizing pain and inflammation, so you can start feeling better sooner.
• Once an hour has passed since your extraction, you can treat yourself to some cold milk or a scoop of ice cream but make sure it is free of nuts or any crunchy bits.
• For the first 4 to 5 hours post-extraction, stick to healthy, liquid-based foods. Avoid using a straw, as the suction can disturb the clot that is forming and slow down your recovery. After that, you can slowly start to introduce soft, plain foods back into your diet.
• Avoid biting with the area that was treated to prevent any pressure or irritation.
• Avoid smoking for at least three days. Smoking can delay your recovery and can be the reason for complications like dry sockets.
• Abstain from extremely hot foods for the next three days.
• Take your medications as prescribed to support your recovery. Most people feel better within two to three days. However, if you experience fever, severe pain or swelling after this period, you must reach out to us at the earliest.
• After the first three days, you can start rinsing with salt water if you feel it is necessary.

At your follow-up appointment, we will talk about the best options to restore your smile and improve your chewing function.

At Dentalnook, we offer long-term solutions, including dental implants, to help you get back to feeling your best. Contact us today to learn more!