Tooth extractions in East Lansing

We’ll evaluate the affected tooth’s placement and condition to determine what sort of procedure will best fit your needs. Serious damage, decay, or crowding problems may prompt you to visit your oral surgeon in East Lansing for a tooth extraction. You may also be referred by your orthodontist if there’s a tooth in the way of your alignment treatment.

During a simple extraction, the orthodontist uses forceps to remove the tooth from its socket in the jawbone. This approach often works when the tooth is above the gum line. In some cases, though, there’s not enough tooth there to grab onto. A surgical extraction will be required instead. This more complex type of extraction may be necessary for broken teeth and impacted wisdom teeth.

How Does the Dentist Perform a Tooth Extraction?

Don’t worry; your mouth will be numbed before the tooth is extracted. Your oral surgeon in East Lansing will use a local anesthetic for this. Thanks to the anesthetic, you shouldn’t experience much pain or discomfort while the surgeon is taking out the tooth. In some cases, such as surgical extractions, the oral surgeon can give you a stronger form of anesthetic. You may be a good candidate for general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Our goal is for you to feel at ease and comfortable during your extraction procedure.

Once you’re settled and your mouth is numb, the oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry East Lansing will begin the procedure. Using dental instruments, the surgeon will separate the tooth from the socket and pull it out of your mouth. The next step will be to clean out the socket and disinfect the area. To address the bleeding, the dental team will position a gauze pad in your mouth.

What Can You Expect During Tooth Extraction Recovery?

Give yourself time to rest after your tooth extraction procedure. A few days of downtime will help your mouth heal. Keep the gauze in your mouth for at least half an hour. Biting down with light pressure will help slow the bleeding and stimulate clot development. For the next few days, stay away from straws, eat soft foods, and avoid biting on anything crunchy or hard.

Keeping the area clean is important during the healing process. To reduce the likelihood of infection, use a warm salt water rinse a few times each day. Start this routine one day after your procedure. Your oral surgeon in East Lansing will give you additional post-procedure care directions as well. These will be personalized for your individual recovery needs.

Don’t use a straw during the recovery period. Sucking through a straw within the first 48 hours can pull the blood clot out of place. This situation is commonly referred to as dry socket. Smoking during the first few days can cause dry socket too. If the clot gets dislodged from the extraction site, the bleeding will resume.

It’s normal to have some swelling or bleeding during your recovery. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve your discomfort; acetaminophen and ibuprofen are usually recommended. Applying an ice pack can also feel soothing after tooth extraction in East Lansing. If the symptoms become more pronounced, please reach out to your oral surgeon’s office right away. For example, call us if you develop severe pain, extreme swelling or signs of an infection.

In some cases, tooth extractions should be followed by tooth replacement procedures. Wisdom teeth don’t need to be replaced, but others often do. Some of the options dentists have available for tooth replacement are bridges, dental implants and partial dentures. Talk to your oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry East Lansing to learn more about which of these approaches would be best for you.

Tooth extraction could be the best way to preserve your dental health. From beginning to end, you will be in good hands during your extraction. The oral surgery team will take steps to keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout this routine dental procedure. We’ll remove the tooth as quickly and smoothly as possible. For most patients, recovery takes only a few days. By following your oral surgeon’s instructions, you will hopefully be back to your regular self soon.

For expert tooth extraction in East Lansing, call your oral surgeon at Contemporary Dentistry East Lansing. Our staff is looking forward to answering your questions and preparing you for this common dental procedure. Please schedule a consultation appointment for your tooth extraction today.