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When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, or if there is periodontal disease present, it may need to be pulled, or extracted.
To make your experience very comfortable, tooth extraction procedures can be performed under various anesthetic options, including local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation.
Always before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is always numbed with a topical/and or injectable anesthetic. This will make the area feel numb, however, you still may experience pressure during the procedure.
Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic, and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn't occur.
Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce any swelling and promote faster healing.
A patient who has a tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding in many cases.
We recommend a soft food diet for the first couple of days, and it is important to keep the mouth clean to help the healing process.
Teeth replacement options can also be discussed by Dr. Smith.
