At Wells Family Dentistry, we are pleased to perform same day tooth extractions in Raleigh, NC. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and new techniques, tooth extractions are now quick and pain-free more than ever as we enter the year 2020. As a patient of ours, we are confident that we will provide you with a comfortable experience while in our dental office.
With this being said, if you hear the term “extraction” for the first time, it may sound unfamiliar or perhaps cause some worries. We want you to know that the procedure really can be simple and it is important that you know all of the details prior to receiving an extraction. Please feel free to read the following additional information regarding extractions!
- What is a Tooth Extraction??
- How the Tooth Extraction Procedure Works
- Recovering From a Tooth Extraction
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth Tooth Extraction
- Contact Wells Family Dentistry Today
What is a Tooth Extraction?
A “tooth extraction” is a dental procedure that involves the removal of a tooth, whether it is a baby tooth, wisdom tooth, etc. There are a variety of reasons you may need to have teeth extracted or removed. If you have an infected tooth that cannot be saved, a tooth with structural issues that cannot be repaired, a loose tooth that is the result of periodontal disease, a problematic wisdom tooth, or an orthodontic problem, a tooth extraction may the best option for you. At Wells Family Dentistry, we will make it our highest priority to save any teeth, but in certain cases an extraction procedure may be the best option. We evaluate each patient on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best treatment option.
How the Tooth Extraction Procedure Works
Tooth extraction procedures are simple and pain free. To ensure that you don’t experience any pain throughout the procedure, our team will begin by numbing the tooth area with a local anesthetic. Then, we will use special tools to gently loosen the tooth. This may involve “wiggling” of the tooth and it is possible that you feel pressure during this, which can sometimes be confused with pain. However, we can assure you that you will not feel pain. Next, the tooth will be removed from your mouth with a pair of tweezers known as forceps. For more complex cases, the dentist may require a “surgical extraction” to take place. Similar to a simple extraction, a surgical extraction also involves the removal of a tooth, but typically requires cutting through bone and tissue. To provide a prospective, a patient with a severely broken tooth below the gumline may need a surgical extraction.
Recovering From a Tooth Extraction
Following the procedure, you should expect to take things easy for a couple days. No chewing near the extraction site and avoid any hard foods. Soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and pudding are during the recovery period. You may feel pain after to procedure and this is totally normal. Bleeding is also expected and should subside after a few hours once a blood clot is able to form. This blood clot is especially important to the healing process and should not be displaced from the extraction site. Be sure to refrain from smoking, drinking from 48, or forcibly spitting for at least 24 hours to ensure that the blood clot remains intact. Swelling is normal and can be reduced with the use of ice or an ice pack. Try to stick to a routine of 20 minutes of ice and 20 minutes without ice for the first day following your procedure. Additionally, our doctor will give you more detailed instructions specific to your extraction procedure following your appointment.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Tooth Extraction
If you, your son or daughter or someone in your family has impacted wisdom teeth, it is a wise decision to address the issue sooner rather than later. If you “wait it out” and see what happens the impacted teeth has the potential to worsen and become much more painful. At Wells Family Dental Group we are confident we will be able to help you get those impacted wisdom teeth extracted as quickly as possible with a painless and stress-free experience.
Alternatives to Tooth Extractions
As mentioned previously, tooth extractions are typically a last resort when it comes to treatment of a tooth. Primarily, we’d like to save teeth as best as we can. If possible, we will recommend an alternative treatment option such as:
Root Canal
To keep a tooth healthy, its pulp is essential. However, when the pulp becomes damaged or infected, it can be hazardous to the tooth as well as your health. It can also lead to pain and abscess.
Tooth decay, chips, cracks, and other damage to the tooth can lead to pulp infections. When pulp infections occur, the outer part of the tooth is changed and exposes the root to danger. In this situation, a root canal may be a good idea as it can remove the infected pulp and provide the tooth the nourishment it needs.
Endodontic Surgery
There are a variety of surgeries such as endodontic surgery that can keep your infection and inflammation from spreading in your mouth. During endodontic surgery, you can expect your surgeon to remove the infected area. Fortunately, this procedure comes with minimal risks and a short recovery period.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
The reality is that tooth loss is often the result of gum problems. If you are in the early stages of gum disease, it’s a good idea to seek treatment as soon as possible. Maintaining good oral hygiene, scaling and cleaning, and medications can all help.
Antibiotics
Sometimes, tooth infections can be treated with antibiotics. Pain and discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers that can reduce swelling. It’s important to note that these pain relievers do not typically resolve the root cause of the problem and are mainly used as a way to relieve symptoms.
If extraction is necessary, don’t worry. As long as you follow our pre and post-extraction direction, you shouldn’t have any issues. It’s a very common procedure that may be just what you need to restore optimal oral health.
Contact Wells Family Dentistry Today
If you believe that you may need a tooth extraction or have been experiencing tooth pain or extreme discomfort, contact Wells Family Dental Group at (919) 266-5332. We have offices in Louisburg Rd., North Raleigh and Downtown Raleigh. We’ll perform a thorough investigation of your tooth and take some x-rays to determine whether a tooth extraction makes sense. In the event that it does, you can count on us to provide you with a quality tooth extraction the same day you called us!
Read this article in Spanish here – Extracción de dientes el mismo día en Raleigh