Tooth Extraction
Milwaukie, OR
As dentists, our ultimate objective is always to save your teeth. However, there are some circumstances, which necessitate the removal of your teeth to maintain the health of your mouth. At Michael Regan, DMD Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we will conduct a dental exam to assess the health of your mouth and determine the best plan of action to treat you.
Reasons for Tooth Extractions
When a tooth becomes damaged or decayed beyond repair, or if it is causing trouble for other teeth, we may need to extract it. Some reasons why are given below:
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Badly decayed or damaged teeth may not have enough tooth structure remaining to save it.
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An impacted wisdom tooth is often removed since it causes pain and damage to other teeth.
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We may remove teeth to make space in an overcrowded mouth ahead of orthodontic treatment.
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People who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation have lowered immunity. These people are susceptible to tooth infection that may require removal.
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Removing retained baby teeth in children when they are preventing adult teeth from emerging. |
Types of Tooth Extraction
At Michael Regan, DMD Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. If you are prone to anxiety, we may give you a mild sedative as well.
There are two types of tooth extraction procedures:
Simple Extraction
A simple extraction is performed on teeth that have erupted fully in the mouth. We may use special tools known as elevators to wiggle and loosen the tooth. Then we will use a pair of forceps to pull out the tooth from the socket.You may experience pressure during this process but no pain. The recovery time for a simple extraction is minimal. Many people feel only mild discomfort and swelling a few hours after the anesthesia wears off. Although complete healing of the gums and bone may take a few weeks and you may have to eat soft food initially, people go back to their regular routine in less than 24 hours.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction is performed on teeth that have not emerged properly in the mouth, like your wisdom teeth. This surgery is also done on severely damaged teeth that have chipped off at the gum line.
We will make a small incision in your gums to expose the underlying tooth. With the help of dental tools, we will remove the bony structures that support the tooth. The tooth may also be split into two or more parts so that it can be extracted easily. Since the procedure is more complex, we will give you pain medication immediately after the procedure. You may feel slight swelling and pain for three to four days after the procedure. However, this discomfort is usually mild and does not prevent you from working around the house or in the office. We do advise though that you do not participate in any physically exerting activities for a few days at least.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
To hasten the healing after tooth extraction, here are some guidelines you should follow:
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Apply an ice pack to your face to promote healing.
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If we prescribed you pain medication or antibiotics, take them as prescribed to prevent discomfort and infection.
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Eat soft foods like ice cream, apple sauce, pudding, and warm soup in the first few days until your gums heal.
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Do not sip from a straw, spit or cough since it can dislodge the clot from the wound prematurely. This can cause a dry socket that is very painful.
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Do not smoke or consume alcohol as they interfere with healing.
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Keep your head propped up with a pillow when sleeping.
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Brush and floss your teeth carefully around the wound site.
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Chew from the other side of the mouth until the wound is healed. |
Tooth extraction is a very simple and common surgical procedure and most people recover without any complications. Still, if you feel excessive pain, bleeding, or swelling accompanied by fever, you should schedule an appointment immediately by calling us at 503-654-8283.
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