Tooth Extractions
Extractions
Our knowledgeable oral surgeons have many years of experience performing extractions of all complexities. Our team wants to make sure this process is as easy as possible for you, which is why we take great care to ensure your comfort and offer a variety of anesthesia options. The sooner you get the affected tooth removed; the sooner you will feel better.
Why Do I Need to Have My Tooth Removed?
At Clark Holmes Smith Oral Facial Surgery, our surgeons only resort to extracting teeth if it is an absolute necessity. If you’ve been referred to our practice by another dental professional for an extraction of a permanent tooth, it’s often because there is no other option and the tooth has been diagnosed as “unrestorable” (there are no options that exist which will fix the tooth and restore it to health). By removing diseased teeth we are aiming to preserve your oral-systemic health and to prevent further damage to other healthy teeth and gum tissues. In children, it is often necessary to facilitate extractions as part of a complex orthodontic treatment plan. Other common reasons for extractions include:
- Excessive tooth decay
- Tooth infection
- Broken tooth or a cracked root
- Failed root canal treatment(s)
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Crowding of teeth
- Impacted teeth
The Extraction and Post-Op Care
The extraction of a tooth is a relatively simple procedure, though it will vary in complexity depending on whether the tooth is through the gum line or impacted. For most extractions, we only use local anesthesia, but we may combine this with intravenous sedation for more complicated procedures. Either way, we will ensure your comfort during the process of removing your tooth. The recovery time for this procedure is rather quick, and you can usually return to normal activities after a few days. Immediately following the procedure avoid using a straw, smoking, and consuming hard or crunchy foods. For a detailed list of post-care instructions, please click here.