Tooth extractions in Canton

Major decay and damage are some of the top reasons that your oral surgeon in Canton will recommend a tooth extraction. Oral crowding may be another reason to have a tooth removed, or your orthodontist may recommend it as a step in your treatment.

Your tooth extraction procedure may be considered simple or complex. If the tooth is sticking out above the gum line, the extraction will probably be simple. The oral surgeon can use forceps to take out the tooth. If the tooth is impacted — buried in the gums or stuck to the jawbone — then a surgical procedure might be necessary. It’s not unusual for wisdom teeth to require surgical extraction. Also, if most of the tooth above the gum line has broken off, then surgery will probably be required to remove the rest of it.

What is it Like to Have a Tooth Extracted?

The first step in getting your tooth removed is to have your mouth numbed. Your oral surgeon in Canton will administer a local anesthetic so that you will be comfortable during the procedure. When patients are having complex extractions done, we sometimes recommend conscious sedation or general anesthesia as well. Our oral surgery team wants you to be relaxed and have minimal discomfort during your procedure.

Once it’s time to begin, the oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry Canton will work with special dental tools to loosen the tooth and remove it from the socket. Next, the surgeon will clean and disinfect the spot where your tooth was. You’ll be given a gauze pad. Biting down gently on the gauze will slow the bleeding.

What Is Tooth Extraction Recovery Like?

It can take a few days to heal from a tooth extraction procedure, so you’ll want to take it easy during that time. Immediately after the extraction, please bite lightly on the gauze that was placed in your mouth. This will help stanch the bleeding and encourage a clot to form. You’ll soon be able to eat soft foods but should avoid hard foods, crunchy snacks and drinks with straws. Those things might irritate the wound.

Please keep the extraction site clean. You can rinse with a warm solution of salt and water to help with this. Your oral surgeon in Canton may recommend that you begin doing so the day after your procedure. The oral surgeon’s office will provide information about this and any other care steps you should take. Recovery tips can vary from one patient to another based on how complicated the procedure was and what type of tooth was removed.

Patients are always advised not to smoke or drink through straws for the first few days after a tooth extraction. These activities could pull the blood clot out of place and cause your bleeding to resume. This problem is known as dry socket. It can be quite painful. The risk is greatest in the first 48 hours after surgery.

Pain and swelling are normal side effects of tooth extractions, but at-home care can usually keep them under control. Many patients benefit from taking over-the-counter pain medication. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are common choices. Putting an ice pack on your jaw can help you feel better as well. Please contact your oral surgeon’s office if the pain or swelling is unmanageable with these home-care techniques. Contact us also if you have a fever or other signs of an infection.

Many patients benefit from tooth replacement after extractions; wisdom tooth removal is an exception to this. A dental implant may be one possibility for filling the gap. You could also consider a bridge or a partial denture. Your oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry Canton can advise you about your options.

You don’t have to feel scared about your upcoming tooth extraction. Your oral surgeon has a good handle on how to make this a comfortable experience. During the recovery period, you may need only a few days before your mouth starts to feel normal again. Once your tooth extraction procedure is over, you’ll be glad that you took this step to improve your dental health.

Our team is ready to help with your tooth extraction in Canton. Call now to schedule your consultation with the oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry Canton. We can answer your questions and help you feel more confident about your tooth extraction. Please visit our office soon.