Tooth Extraction
Charlotte, NC
 Schedule an appointment with us at Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery for tooth extractions. Although we generally prefer for you to keep your natural teeth, sometimes removing a tooth is the best option if your tooth is so severely damaged that it cannot be repaired.
Understandably, you may feel apprehensive about having your natural teeth removed. The actual procedure itself may be worrying enough, but we appreciate that you may also be self-conscious about having a gap in your teeth. This is where we can help, as not only will we ensure the extraction procedure is carried out with the minimum of fuss, but we will help you to find the right tooth replacement option to keep your smile intact. Dental implants are often a choice of our patients to restore missing teeth.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction Procedure?
A tooth extraction is advised if dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, or a root canal cannot save or restore a tooth. Tooth extractions are common procedures that are either a simple extraction or a surgical extraction.
Simple Extractions
Most tooth removal procedures are carried out as simple extractions. This means that no incisions are made in the gums. During this procedure, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area around the tooth. It is loosened by rocking it back and forth and once loose enough the tooth is removed easily using forceps.
Surgical Extractions
A surgical extraction is required for larger teeth, such as the wisdom teeth. A surgical procedure is also needed for impacted teeth (those that have not erupted through the gum line), or if a tooth has broken below the gum line.
An incision is required in the gum line during a surgical extraction, which will require stitching. Before the decision is made to perform a surgical extraction, x-rays will be carried out to confirm that surgery is the best course of action. Sometimes, a tooth may need to be broken into pieces before it can be removed.
Surgical extractions are performed via a local anesthetic or conscious sedation. This is to make sure that a patient does not feel anything during the procedure.
What Should I Expect During the Recovery Period?
We will give you specific guidelines to aid your recovery from your tooth extraction procedure. It is important to adhere to these to ensure you have a quick recovery while avoiding any complications.
Immediately after your extraction, the tooth socket is likely to be bleeding. We will place gauze over the area, and you will be required to bite down gently on it for up to an hour to stem the bleeding and help to form a blood clot.
You should avoid rinsing your mouth or eating and drinking for several hours afterward so as not to dislodge any clots, and drink only lukewarm liquids and eat soft foods until the bleeding has stopped. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as these inhibit the healing process. Your face may be bruised and swollen following your extraction—particularly after a surgical extraction—but applying ice packs to the area can help to minimize swelling and alleviate any discomfort.
If you have been given antibiotics, make sure you finish the course and take any pain relieving medication as required to reduce discomfort. Call Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery at (980) 332-7990 to find out more about our procedures for tooth extractions. |
