At Chesney Dentistry, we’ll discuss your treatment options with you, and it may be determined that a tooth extraction is needed for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed or broken to an extent that that they cannot be repaired. There may be advanced periodontal disease or possibly a cracked or abscessed tooth may require removal. Other teeth may need to be extracted because of poor alignment or positioning in the mouth in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to chewing ability, shifting teeth, or problems with your bite and jaw joint; all of which can have an impact on your overall dental health. To avoid these complications in most cases, at Chesney Dentistry we will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.
The Extraction Process
At the time of extraction the doctor will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic. During the extraction process you may feel pressure. This is from firmly rocking the tooth to widen the socket for removal. There will be pressure without pain (due to the numbing medication). Any time a patient feels discomfort at our office, we want to know right away so we can appropriately adjust the medication levels.
At Chesney Dentistry we do perform extractions, however, there are some situations where we may refer you to a local oral surgeon for your treatment. We always strive to determine where you treatment needs are best served.
Sectioning of a Tooth
Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure that is done when a tooth is firmly attached. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections and removes each section individually.
After Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction, it is very important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a moist gauze pad for 45 minutes immediately after the appointment. Replace with a fresh gauze pad as needed.
After the blood clot forms it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, or brush the teeth next to the extraction site for the next 72 hours. These particular activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the normal healing process. In addition, it is recommended that you limit vigorous physical activity for the next 24 hours, as this may increase blood pressure and cause more bleeding from the extraction site. Following a tooth extraction you may experience some pain and swelling. An ice pack applied to the area may help keep the swelling to a minimum. The swelling usually subsides after about 48 hours.
Use pain medication and antibiotics as directed and/or prescribed. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft foods the first 24 hours after the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you feel comfortable. It is important to resume your normal dental routine after about 24 hours, which should include brushing and flossing twice a day. This will help with the healing process, as well as help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you should feel fine and resume all your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, contact our office.
