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Tooth Extraction

Extractions | Access Oral Surgery | | Summerville, SC

Tooth Extraction

When teeth are impacted, decaying, or broken, they can cause discomfort. Dentists may attempt to fix the issue with a crown or other alternatives. However, if the damage is too severe or potentially harmful to surrounding teeth, it may be best to remove the decaying tooth through an extraction procedure.
A tooth extraction is a frequently performed dental procedure in the US. Although it’s not a solution for every toothache, there are many valid reasons for removing a tooth.
  • Crowding of teeth
  • Risk of infection
  • Decaying teeth
  • Effects of severe periodontal disease
  • Very loose teeth due to bone loss
  • Impacted wisdom teeth (third molars)
At Access Oral Surgery, a highly skilled maxillofacial surgeon will examine your mouth and analyze your X-rays to determine if a tooth extraction will be necessary and what restorative options are available. If a tooth needs to be removed, patients will undergo a procedure to extract it using local anesthesia or IV sedation, depending on their needs. After extraction, the gums may be treated with bone grafts, PRF, implants, and/or sutures. Patients will receive post-operative care instructions and pain medication, if necessary, to aid in healing and recovery.

Care after a tooth extraction.

The procedure for tooth extraction may be quick, but the post-surgical care you adhere to is crucial for your dental well-being. After the extraction, your oral surgeon will give you guidelines for recovery and pain relief.

Here are some useful suggestions to alleviate pain, expedite the healing process, and lower the chances of infection:

1) Clench down on the gauze pad given by your oral surgeon.
2) Replace the gauze at intervals of 20 – 30 minutes until the bleeding ceases.
3) Adhere to the pain relief regimen outlined by your oral surgeon.
4) Refrain from forceful rinsing or spitting for the initial 24 hours (To rinse, gently tilt your head and allow water to flow out of your mouth, so as not to displace the blood clot). After the first 24 hours, you may proceed with mild saltwater rinses.
5) Use a cold compress on your cheek in 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling.

You ask, we answer

Dental extractions involve removing teeth from the gums and alveolar bone – otherwise known as tooth sockets. Extractions may sound scary, but they are painless because anesthetics are used.

Most dentists do not recommend tooth extractions as their first option. We will always look for alternatives and try to avoid removing teeth whenever possible. It may be necessary to extract a tooth if it is severely infected and cannot be saved.

Dental overcrowding and impacted teeth are other common reasons for extractions. When a tooth does not have enough room to erupt through the gum line, it is classified as impacted. In these cases, the tooth or teeth may need to be extracted in order to create the space for it to grow. An extraction can also be used for orthodontic procedures that require more space than is available in a crowded mouth.

During the consultation, you will meet your oral surgeon. A 3-D scan of your mouth and face may be taken, and we will discuss anesthesia and sedation options with you before treatment. A simple tooth extraction is often completed with only local anesthesia. Consultations and extraction procedures can sometimes be combined in one appointment.

To remove the tooth, your surgeon will administer a local anesthetic and use forceps. After your surgery, we will place gauze in your mouth to control bleeding and send you home with detailed instructions. Your extraction site should be properly healed by following aftercare instructions closely to avoid a dry socket, a painful condition caused by a dislodged blood clot inside the tooth socket.

Extractions can be sensitive procedures, but you can trust Access Oral Surgery for effective dental care with a human touch. Get in touch with Access today to learn more about your dental health options.

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