Dental Extraction: What is It?
Tooth extraction involves the removal of a tooth from its bone socket and is necessary when a tooth is beyond repair. Initially, a dentist will try to save a damaged tooth using methods like crowning or filling. However, when these solutions are ineffective due to severe decay or breakage, tooth extraction becomes essential.
Why Tooth Extraction is Necessary
There are several reasons tooth extraction is needed. Sometimes, an extra tooth impedes the growth of others, requiring removal. Similarly, people undergoing orthodontic treatments, such as braces, might need a tooth extraction to make room for alignment.
Radiation therapy to the neck and head can also necessitate tooth removal if a tooth falls within the radiation area. Furthermore, cancer treatments weaken the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections, which might lead to tooth extraction if an infection arises.
Patients who have undergone organ transplants are also at risk. Immunosuppressive drugs can make them more susceptible to infections, sometimes causing teeth to be extracted to prevent health complications. Lastly, wisdom teeth, or third molars, are routinely extracted due to misalignment or impaction.
Preparation for Tooth Extraction
Before a tooth extraction, you’ll discuss your medical and dental history with your dentist, who will take an X-ray of the affected area to determine the best course of removal. Sometimes, antibiotics are prescribed before and after surgery to prevent infection, depending on the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s approach.
If conscious sedation or deeper anesthesia is planned, wearing sleeveless or easily rolled-up clothing provides easy access to administer intravenous (IV) sedation. Patients are often instructed to refrain from eating or drinking for at least six to eight hours before the procedure. Arranging for someone to drive you home post-extraction is advised.
How Tooth Extraction is Performed
There are two types of extractions: simple and surgical. Simple extractions are for teeth visible in the mouth and are usually performed by general dentists. Using local anesthetic, the dentist loosens the tooth with forceps and removes it. Sometimes, a dental elevator—a tool placed between the tooth and gum—is used to aid extraction.
Surgical extractions are performed when the tooth is not easily visible or accessible, requiring an oral surgeon to make an incision in the gum. This is often the case with impacted teeth or teeth broken at the gum line. The gum is lifted to access the tooth or remaining tooth fragments, which are then removed. Surgical extractions usually involve local anesthesia and may include conscious sedation. In complex cases, the tooth may be broken into pieces for easier removal.
If you’re undergoing a surgical extraction with conscious sedation, steroids can be administered through the IV to reduce post-surgery swelling. Patients needing multiple extractions, such as all four wisdom teeth, may have them removed simultaneously for convenience, although the lower extractions are more challenging.
Follow-Up and Recovery
After a simple extraction, any discomfort is generally minimal, and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen may suffice. Surgical extractions, however, can cause more significant pain and discomfort, needing prescription pain relief initially, followed by standard NSAIDs once the pain subsides.
Bleeding from the incision in the mouth is common, as saliva prevents scab formation. You’ll need to bite gently on gauze for about 30 minutes post-procedure to encourage clotting. Bleeding might persist for up to 24 hours but should lessen gradually. Ice packs can help minimize swelling, which typically subsides within a day or two. Initial healing takes approximately two weeks.
Avoid spitting, using a straw, or smoking immediately after surgery, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot, leading to increased bleeding or a dry socket—a condition occurring in 20-30% of difficult extractions, especially in smokers or those taking birth control pills.
Risks and Complications
While often minor, infections can arise post-extraction, particularly for those with weakened immune systems. Dry socket is the most common complication, occurring when a blood clot fails to form or breaks down prematurely, exposing the bone and causing pain or bad breath.
Other potential issues include damage to adjacent teeth, incomplete extraction leaving root tips, jaw fractures in those with osteoporosis, accidental sinus puncture, joint or muscle soreness limiting mouth opening, and numbness from nerve injury, particularly with lower wisdom tooth removal. Numbness usually resolves in a few months, though rare cases may be permanent.
For any dental concerns, contact East Wind Dental Care. Our experienced team at Hillsboro provides exceptional service and ensures your dental health is our priority.
Contact East Wind Dental Care Today!
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198
Website: East Wind Dental Care
East Wind Dental Care
Dental Implant placement in Hillsboro, Oregon, and Beaverton Oregon
family dentistry in Hillsboro
https://eastwinddentalcare.com
amily and Cosmetics Dentistry in Hillsboro, Oregon.
East Wind Dental Care Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon. We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful. East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health. When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Website: https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com
Dentist in Hillsboro, OR - East Wind Dental Care provides general dentistry in Hillsboro. Make your next family dentist appointment at East Wind Dental Care. General Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Pediatric (Kids!) Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Replacement. Crowns and Bridges, Dental Implants & Mini Dental Implants Dentures (with specialty), Complete denture, Partial Dentures.
East Wind Dental Care
Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon.
We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 17:00 and Saturdays with appointments.
Website: https://eastwinddentalcare.com/
Make an appointment online at https://eastwinddentalcare.com/contact-3/
