The Tooth Extraction Procedure: What to Expect

Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary to relieve pain and preserve your oral health. But, because it involves removing your beloved natural tooth, you may have several questions about the procedure. What’s the procedure like? Is the treatment painful? To get answers to these and more questions, keep reading the FAQs section below by Crowns Now Family Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina.

Why should my tooth be extracted?

Our office tries to save as many of your natural teeth as possible. We offer numerous tooth-saving procedures, including dental fillings, crowns, and root canals. However, sometimes, your tooth can be beyond saving. In such cases, the dentist will recommend dental extraction to restore your oral health.

These are instances in which your dentist may recommend dental extraction:

• Severely damaged or decayed tooth
• To resolve overcrowding
• To pave the way for orthodontic treatment
• Impacted or troublesome wisdom tooth
• To remove an ankylosed baby tooth

Removing a tooth can save your smile from pain and widespread infection. Don’t let a compromised tooth ruin your oral health. Dental extraction is a safe and effective treatment for teeth beyond restoration.  

What is the process of removing a tooth?

Before removing your tooth, we’ll examine it with X-rays to determine its position, how deep the roots go, and whether it is susceptible to breaking during removal. Dental X-rays determine if your tooth will be pulled with simple extraction or requires surgical extraction.

A simple extraction is ideal if your tooth is visible and accessible in the mouth. To perform this procedure, the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb your gums to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the extraction. Once settled, the dentist uses special skills and tools to pull your tooth from its socket.

We recommend surgical extraction if your tooth is impacted or broken at the gum line level. The dentist can perform this procedure through local or general anesthesia. Once fully anesthetized, the dentist makes a small incision on the gums and removes the underlying bone to access the trapped tooth.

In most cases, the dentist breaks the tooth into pieces for easier removal and to cause minimal trauma to the adjacent structures. After removing each fragment, the dentist cleans and sutures the surgical site to pave the way for healing.

What are the post-care instructions after tooth removal?

Like any oral surgery, you must adhere to post-treatment instructions for a smooth recovery. Our objective is to ensure you remain comfortable during and after treatment. Observe the tips below to maximize your recovery.

• Adhere to the prescribed medications (painkillers and antibiotics)
• Rest for a few days to allow healing
• Try home remedies like using a cold compress
• Stick to soft meals and liquids for the first few days
• Don’t disturb the extraction site to avoid dislodging the clot
• Observe optimal oral hygiene to prevent infections
• See a dentist immediately if you notice prolonged or increasing discomfort

Is tooth extraction right for me?

Do you have a compromised tooth and think you need dental extraction? Call (864) 655-7788 to reserve an appointment with Crowns Now Family Dentistry. We have convenient offices in Greer, Irmo, Greenville, or Woodruff, SC.

Share this Article