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A tooth extraction could be necessary for many reasons. However, it is always performed as a last resort. Here at The Ivory Dental Co., we believe in preserving the health of your natural teeth and salvaging them whenever possible. Having said that, not all teeth can be saved.
If you have a tooth infection that is spreading to other teeth, problems with your wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, gum disease, overcrowding, need to make extra room for orthodontic treatment, or if your tooth has been severely damaged from oral trauma and cannot be repaired, you may require a tooth extraction.
Tooth extractions are split into two main subtypes: simple and surgical extractions. A simple tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that is visible and has erupted through the gums. The tooth is loosened with a dental elevator and removed with forceps.
A surgical extraction is necessary for teeth that are impacted (trapped behind the gums). To gain access to these teeth, an incision is made into the gums to reveal the tooth before loosening and removing it. The tooth usually needs to be sectioned (cut into small fragments) and additional bone may need to be cut for easier removal.
If you need a tooth extraction, contact us at The Ivory Dental Co. today to schedule an appointment with your dentist in East Amherst.
No, the extraction procedure is not painful because we administer an anesthetic and may use additional sedation depending on the type of extraction. Most surgical extractions involve the use of general anesthesia which would mean you would be unconscious for the entire appointment and not feel anything.
The time frame you are most likely to experience pain is during the recovery period. However, this pain should be mild and will reduce each day as you heal. Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication for relief and rest.
Make sure not to dislodge any blood clots as this can result in a dry socket which is a very painful condition that prolongs your recovery time and increases your risk of infection.
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Healing time can vary from person to person depending on their lifestyle, oral hygiene, immune system, the type of extraction, and the location of the tooth. Generally speaking, you can expect the soft tissue to be completely healed within 3-4 weeks.
Surgical extractions will take a little longer healing than simple extractions and the patient must rest for the first few days. The general healing timeline looks something like this:
After the first 24 hours, a blood clot will start to form.
- 2 days post-extraction, you can expect bleeding and swelling to still occur but should dissipate by day 3. While the tooth may be tender, it should not be painful.
- A blood clot should be fully formed at the extraction site within 7-10 days of the extraction.
- By 2 weeks post-extraction, the socket should be fully healed but you will still experience mild tenderness in the soft tissue.
- Finally, by weeks 3 and 4, you should be completely healed.
This ultimately depends on the reason for the tooth extraction. In cases of damaged or infected dental pulp, a root canal is the most common alternative. This is a highly effective treatment with a 95% success rate. There comes a point, however, when a root canal is no longer an option, such as when the infection has spread to the other teeth.
If your tooth has been chipped, worn down, or damaged, we may be able to cover it with a dental crown or repair it with dental bonding. However, for severe damage and teeth that have broken off at the gum line, the tooth will need to be extracted.
Yes, you will need to replace your missing tooth to avoid serious problems such as shifting teeth, changes in your bite and facial structure, premature facial sagging, difficulty chewing and speaking, gaps in your smile, and bone loss.
The best tooth replacement option is a dental implant because it fully restores the function and appearance of a natural tooth, including the root. This enables implants to preserve the jaw bone and prevent bone loss while other tooth restorations accelerate bone loss.
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