Unbeknownst to many individuals, teeth that have suffered devastating damage can put healthy, neighboring teeth at risk. Although it’s always preferable to try and conserve a person’s natural teeth, there are cases in which tooth extraction is absolutely necessary to conserve oral health. In certain circumstances, keeping broken or damaged teeth in place is more harmful than having them removed.
When Is Extraction Required?
Tooth extraction is not always immediately necessary. In fact, having teeth removed is a last resort option that is only recommended when other methods of treatment have been exhausted. With that being said, choosing extractions depends on each patient’s particular case and their specific needs.
Reasons for a tooth extraction may include:
- Dental emergency
- Preparation for restorative treatment
- Risk of damaging neighboring teeth
- Wisdom teeth
What to Expect Before and After Treatment
At Larson Dental, we like to ensure that all other treatment options have been exhausted before recommending extraction. In order to do this we provide in-depth assessments of a patient’s mouth in order to make the right recommendations. If Dr. Larson determines that extraction is necessary for the overall well-being of the smile, a quick outpatient procedure will be performed to extract the selected teeth.
Once the extraction has taken place, patients are sent home to recover – usually returning to their daily routines the following day. Although some discomfort may be felt during recovery, symptoms should subside in a few days and can be treated with over the counter meds.
Replacing Teeth After Extractions
Any extraction, with the exception of wisdom teeth, require a restorative treatment to replace the missing gap in the smile. Luckily at Larson Dental, we offer various restorative treatments such as:
These options can help you repair your smile. We will ensure that information about restorative options are shared with you and we will walk you through those options in order to help determine the best replacement for your smile.
Contact Us for Gentle Extractions
If you have questions about tooth extraction, contact our office by calling (928) 772-8128 or by filling out our online contact form, available on this page. We’ll get back to you right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tooth extractions painful?
No, the tooth extraction procedure isn’t painful. We’ll use a local anesthetic to numb the area and we can also provide sedation so you can feel relaxed and feel even less pain. We’ll make sure you’re not in pain during the procedure.
After your procedure, you may feel some discomfort for a couple of days. This is normal because your mouth is healing from the extraction. We may write a prescription for pain medication, and you can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to help.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
After your extraction, we recommend that you rest for 48 to 72 hours. Your body will be able to concentrate on healing without any undue stress from your daily life. Once this period of time has passed, the surgical area is much less likely to become infected.
You can return to your normal daily activities after this time has passed. The soft tissue won’t completely heal for another three to four weeks, but as long as you’re careful around the extraction area, you’ll likely be fine.
What are the dos and don’ts after a tooth extraction?
After a tooth extraction, do:
- Make sure you rest for 48 to 72 hours
- Take pain medication as prescribed
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling
- Eat soft, gentle foods
While you’re healing, don’t:
- Smoke
- Eat solid foods
- Brush the extraction area
- Use a straw
After your procedure, Dr. Larson will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your oral health. If you have any questions about extraction aftercare, please contact us by calling (928) 772-8128.