Tooth Extraction: Types and Recovery Techniques

Facing a tooth extraction is a devastating experience, but in some instances, unavoidable. In an example of severe tooth decay, keeping your natural teeth could be more damaging than actually removing them. Other instances where you can lose a tooth include sports injuries, car accidents, old age, and serious dental diseases.

Generally, tooth extraction is a standard procedure that can be completed within a few minutes. However, complicated extractions where the tooth is broken and invisible may require surgery. Contact Brookline Oral Surgery Group for painless tooth extractions.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of tooth extraction and recovery techniques. Before we get to that, let’s see why a dentist may recommend tooth removal.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

• Severe trauma or injury
• Severe tooth decay or infection
• Crowded teeth
• Impacted teeth
• To pave the way for a dental procedure

If you have a damaged tooth, visit a dental office near you for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please note that a damaged tooth can often be repaired. Extraction is not always necessary.

Types of Teeth Extractions

Depending on the complexity of the tooth that you’re planning to remove, your dentist can use any of the following extraction processes.

• Simple extraction – It’s primarily used to extract a tooth that is visible in your mouth. A simple extraction is usually fast, painful, and can be performed by a General Dentist.To remove the tooth, the dentist begins by numbing the extraction area to prevent pain and discomfort. The dentist then uses an elevator to loosen the tooth to prepare it for extraction and then use dental forceps to remove the tooth.
• Surgical Extraction – It’s a more serious and complex method of extracting a tooth that has broken off at the gum line and isn’t visible in your mouth.For this procedure, an Oral Surgeon or dentist starts by numbing the area of the extraction. Your dentist will then make a small cut into your gum to pave the way for the extraction. Once the underlying tooth has been removed, your dentist will stitch the incision up if necessary.

After either procedure, your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite down on to aid in clot formation.

Is it Painful?

As mentioned above, the dentist numbs the extraction area before extracting the tooth. This means that you won’t feel anything during and a few minutes after the procedure.

However, once the anesthetic wears off, you might feel some discomfort. In addition, minimal bleeding may still occur a few hours after the surgery. Fortunately, your dentist will prepare you for all these side effects.

Pain Management

After the procedure, your dentist may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines. You can use home remedies such as ice packs and salty water rinses to manage pain.

Eating and Drinking

On the day of extraction, you may enjoy eating and drinking. However, to prevent pain and discomfort around the extraction socket, we recommend that you:

• Avoid consuming hard foods.
• Avoid consuming excessively hot or cold food and drinks as they can cause sensitivity around the area.
• Avoid using straws.
• Avoid smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages.

Cleaning

Carefully cleaning your mouth after a tooth extraction is necessary. To maximize oral hygiene without disturbing the empty socket:

• Avoid brushing around the socket for the next 24 to 48 hours.
• Don’t use harsh dental products as they can irritate the extraction site.
• Use warm water rinses after every meal (avoid commercial and antiseptic mouth rinses).

Healing and Recovery

In a simple extraction procedure, healing and recovery are easy and quick. However, a surgical extraction can take longer to heal. On average, it can take about two weeks for the socket to close up.

Tooth Restoration Procedure

After tooth removal, you don’t have to live with an empty socket. Luckily, there are numerous dental procedures that you can use to replace your teeth and restore the appearance and functionality of your tooth. Once you’ve healed, visit your dentist and ask for their recommendation for a tooth restoration treatment.
Standard dental procedures for replacing a missing tooth or teeth include:

• Dental implants – An artificial tooth is attached to the empty socket through surgery.
• Dental Bridges – An artificial tooth is placed on the empty socket and supported by frameworks or dental crowns attached to the adjacent teeth.
• Dental Dentures – Recommended if you have multiple missing teeth. Dentures are removable.

Schedule for a Consultation Today

If you have a damaged tooth that’s getting in the way of your oral health, you can remove it. Contact Brookline Oral Surgery Group today for professional and painless teeth extractions.