At Lowell Dental Arts, there may be times when we recommend extracting a tooth. Your comfort and oral health are our priorities, so we never make this decision lightly. WE will work to preserve your natural tooth as often as we can, but there may be times when extraction is the best option.
Reasons you may need a tooth removed
- Severe infection or decay that cannot be treated with a filling or root canal alone
- Advanced gum disease that has resulted in a loose tooth
- Impacted teeth that are causing pain or infection
- Fracture or break beyond ability to repair
- Overcrowding that can’t be corrected with just orthodontic treatment
There are some occasions when we may make the recommendation to remove a permanent tooth. If a tooth is badly damaged or decayed, or there is a significant amount of trauma that would make repair impossible, we will recommend extracting the tooth.
Before removing the tooth, our dentists will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area, and if necessary, we may use a general anesthetic. We want the procedure to be as painless as possible.
Once the tooth has been pulled, gauze will be placed in the empty socket to stop any bleeding, and if necessary, we will use stitches to close the gum over the extraction point. Your dentist will recommend pain medicine to assist with any discomfort following the procedure. You will need to continue to change out gauze pads for the first three to four hours to ensure bleeding stops. Use an ice pack to limit swelling. Twenty-four hours after the extraction, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Eat soft foods and avoid using a straw for the first 24 hours after the extraction.
If you experience bleeding that continues past several hours after your procedure, or if you experience severe pain or swelling, contact your dentist right away.
What to expect from a tooth extraction
If the expert team at Lowell Dental Arts feels extraction is the best course of treatment, they will work hard to ensure your comfort during the procedure. A detailed exam and X-rays will provide the information we need to plan the best and safest way to extract the tooth.
We use a local anesthetic to numb the area and, if necessary, can also use general anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort during the procedure. Stitches may be placed at the extraction site if needed, and detailed aftercare instructions will be provided.
Recovering after an extraction
You should fully recover from your extraction procedure in just a couple of days; however, it will take some time for the extraction site to fully heal. Follow these tips to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible:
- Gauze will be placed at the extraction site to stop any bleeding. Patients should bite down on this and replace it as necessary with clean gauze.
- Eat only soft foods after the extraction. Avoid hard or crunchy foods until the extraction site is fully healed.
- Avoid using a straw for drinks to avoid dry socket. A blood clot needs to form in the socket and sucking through a straw can dislodge this. Blood clots are an important part of the healing process.
- Gently rinse with warm saltwater, but avoid vigorously rinsing and be gentle when spitting.
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours.
- Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and bleeding.
- Maintain your usual oral healthcare routine, but be mindful at the extraction site. Avoid vigorous brushing and use a soft-bristled brush.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine or prescribed pain medication as directed.
- Apply ice packs to the extraction site for the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling.
- Follow all of our instructions and call our office immediately if complications arise.
What happens next?
After your extraction site is healed, we can discuss how to restore your smile. We have several options available, including dental implants, dentures, and bridges. Working together, we can find the solution that works best for your smile.