Tooth Extraction Specialist
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Applegarth Dental & Orthodontics
Cosmetic Dentist & General Dentist located in East Windsor, NJ
Although the first goal of dental care is to preserve your natural teeth, sometimes a severely damaged tooth makes extraction or removal unavoidable. When you face a possible tooth extraction, the team at Applegarth Dental carefully evaluates your options, then makes sure your experience is painless. To learn more about tooth extractions and dental care, call the office in East Windsor, New Jersey or use online booking to schedule a dental examination.
Tooth Extraction Q & A
Why might you need a tooth extraction?
Severe tooth decay, a broken tooth, or damage to the tooth or bone that’s too extensive to repair are the most common reasons why patients need a tooth extraction.
Impacted teeth, which are teeth that get stuck in your jaw rather than growing up and out of the gum, may need extraction to prevent or treat an infection. In some cases, impacted teeth must be removed to stop them from pushing other teeth out of alignment.
Sometimes tooth extraction is needed when a baby tooth prevents a permanent tooth from growing in correctly, or when you have too many permanent teeth to fit your jaw.
What happens when you have a tooth extracted?
Before removing a tooth, your dentist at Applegarth Dental reviews your medical history and treats infection or gum disease, if necessary, to prevent bacteria from spreading during the extraction. You may need to stop taking some medications days before the procedure.
You’ll also learn about your anesthesia options. Your extraction may only need local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the surrounding tissues. Additional sedatives are available to ensure your comfort for more complex procedures.
Depending on your dental condition, there are two possible types of tooth extraction:
Simple extraction
A simple extraction is performed when your tooth is above the gum line and only needs to be loosened with a special instrument and then pulled out.
Surgical extraction
Your tooth is surgically extracted when it’s impacted or has broken off at or below the gum line. This procedure requires a small incision in your gum, so your dentist can remove the tooth.
How long does it take to recuperate after tooth extraction?
The time it takes to recuperate depends on the number of teeth removed and how difficult they were to extract.
It’s essential for all patients to keep the blood clot intact for the area to heal, so you’ll need to avoid smoking, using a straw, or spitting for a while. You may also need to limit strenuous activity for a short time, depending on your procedure.
It’s normal to expect some discomfort following any extraction. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs usually take care of pain following a simple extraction. You’ll receive specific self-care instructions and other medications based on your procedure.
If you have a toothache or questions about tooth extraction, call Applegarth Dental or book an appointment online.
