Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

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• Severe decay

• Advanced periodontal disease (bone loss)

• Infection or abscess

• Orthodontic correction

• Malpositioned teeth

• Fractured teeth or roots

• Impacted teeth

 

For a routine extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort. The tooth will be loosened and then removed. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches.

It is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. We will provide you with dry, sterile gauze to bite down on for 30-45 minutes to limit bleeding while clotting takes place. For the next 24 hours, you shouldn't smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or brush teeth directly next to the extraction site.

A certain amount discomfort is to be expected following an extraction, which can be minimized with a pain medication and ice packs applied to the face for 15 minutes at a time. After a routine extraction, discomfort should lessen within three days. If you have prolonged or severe discomfort, swelling, bleeding or fever, call our office immediately.

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After an extraction, often a graft is necessary to preserve the site for future restoration.