Although we will do anything and everything we can to preserve and protect your natural teeth, there are some instances in which you may need to have a tooth extracted. This can be from severe decay, advanced periodontal disease, and teeth that have been broken beyond repair. In some cases, teeth are impacted or need to be removed to prepare for successful orthodontic treatment. Whatever the case may be, we are here to make the extraction process as easy as possible.
Unlike many other dentists, we do our best to keep our extractions in-house. Dr. Edwards completed a hospital-based general practice residency and is ready and able to meet your extraction needs, including wisdom teeth removal.
Why should I get my wisdom teeth removed?
Your wisdom teeth don’t come in until later in life, but they can wreak havoc on your mouth. When they are not addressed, your wisdom teeth can become impacted. This simply means that there isn’t enough room in your mouth for them to come in, which can lead to them twisting and moving as they try to poke through your gums.
When wisdom teeth finally emerge, they can crowd your existing teeth and are prone to developing bacterial infections. While not everybody needs to get their wisdom teeth removed, it is important to get them X-rayed and assessed by a dental professional to see what you need.
Will a tooth extraction hurt?
We understand that a tooth extraction can seem scary, but in reality, the process should be relatively painless. In fact, the most pain you will experience will be a little bit of soreness around the area after the procedure is complete, which can be easily fixed with over the counter pain medications.
We will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums with a local anesthetic before we begin the extraction. During the process, you may feel some pressure as we loosen the tooth, but you will not feel pain.
Tooth extraction aftercare
As part of the healing process, it is important for a proper blood clot to form after your extraction. To help with this, we will have you bite down on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes. After the clot has successfully formed it is important not to disturb or dislodge it. Be careful not put excessive force on the clot- avoid sucking on straws, rinsing vigorously, drinking alcohol, and brushing around the area.
Tooth extractions are relatively simple procedures. Whether you have wisdom teeth or a tooth that needs to be removed due to damage, we are here to serve you. If you believe that you need a tooth extraction, want to get your wisdom teeth checked, or simply want to learn more about the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us.