Tooth Extractions

What are tooth extractions?

Tooth extractions are a type of oral surgery. Dentists use special tools to remove permanent teeth that are crowded, impacted, or decaying. 

Even if your smile is healthy, almost everyone has their wisdom teeth removed. Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are at the very back of your mouth. They’re the last of your permanent teeth to break through the gum line. Because of their location and position, wisdom teeth are often hard to keep clean.

Extractions can significantly lower your risk of future complications and help preserve your smile.

Who needs tooth extractions?

Anyone who has decaying, crowded, or impacted teeth can benefit from extractions. You might also benefit from extractions if you have a severe case of gum disease.

Prior to removing any teeth, Pleasant Family Dentistry conducts an oral exam, reviews your dental health history, and asks about the symptoms you’re experiencing. They then take oral X-rays to determine the position and condition of your affected tooth or teeth.

Let your provider know if you have a chronic medical condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease. These and other issues may increase your risk of surgical complications. Before recommending surgery, your provider makes sure you’re healthy enough to move forward.

What are the types of tooth extractions?

Pleasant Family Dentistry offers two types of tooth extractions:

Simple extractions

If your damaged or decaying tooth is above the gum line, your provider performs a simple extraction. They administer a local anesthetic to numb your gums and tooth roots, ensuring your comfort. Once the anesthesia sets in, your provider loosens the tooth with an elevator and removes it with forceps.

Surgical extractions

If you have an impacted tooth that’s beneath the gum line, your provider performs a surgical extraction. After administering an anesthetic, they make an incision along your gum line, revealing the impacted tooth. Your provider cuts the tooth into several pieces and removes each piece using forceps.

After removing the tooth, your provider sutures up the incision and sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. Pleasant Family Dentistry conducts most extractions on-site. However, if you require complex extractions, they can refer you to an oral surgeon in the area.

What is recovery like after tooth extractions?

Following tooth extractions, it’s normal to experience some mild swelling and gum sensitivity. To limit bruising, apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables to your cheek.

Don’t smoke and avoid using a straw for at least 24 hours. It’s okay to brush and floss but do so gently around the extraction site. Don’t bite down on the socket and eat soft foods like scrambled eggs and soup for at least 48 hours. If you experience any discomfort, take over-the-counter pain medication.

To learn more about tooth extractions, request a consultation at Pleasant Family Dentistry. Call the office or book online today.