Dental Extraction
A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth and they can be performed for a wide variety of reasons. Our cosmetic dentists have performed a countless number of extractions for our patients in the Lansing area.
Some of the most common reasons for extractions are:
- Severe tooth decay
- Advanced periodontal or advanced bone loss leading to eventual tooth loss
- Cracked or broken teeth that are too severe to repair
- Poor tooth positioning, preventing successful oral hygiene.
Although extracting a tooth may be a fairly easy and inexpensive way to fix an immediate problem, there are complications that can arise down the road:
- Shifting of neighboring teeth into the gap
- Alignment changes in your bite that can cause TMJ and TMD.
While these worries don’t apply for most wisdom teeth removal, when we extract other natural teeth in the mouth, we often recommend that our patients replace extracted teeth using bridges or dental implants.
Types of Extraction
Extractions are classified according to difficulty:
- A simple extraction is removal of teeth with out incisions into the gum tissue.
- A surgical extraction is removal of teeth requiring incisions into the gum tissue.
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An extracted 3rd molar/ Wisdom tooth that was horizontally impacted. |
Post-extraction (simple) healing
After a tooth has been removed, a blood clot will form in the empty tooth socket. If this clot is dislodged, a condition called a dry socket will occur which can be painful and can increase the healing time. It is treated by your dentist with a dressing or foam placed in the socket to alleviate the pain and deter bacteria formation. This usually assists and speeds the healing.
Other Complications
- Bone Loss
- Can affect facial profile
- Can complicate dental restorations/fit of prosthesis
- Can affect adjacent teeth
- Infection: if infection occurs your dentist will recommend antibiotics
- Prolonged bleeding: your dentist will recommend that you bite on gauze to help clot the bleeding.
- Swelling: this is very common in the cheeks or jaw area.
- Nerve Injury: this may occur causing a numb lip or tingling sensation.
Post-Extraction Instructions
Immediately afterwards: Sit still for a few minutes, your dentist will encourage you to bite firmly on some gauze to help a blood clot form and will advise you in further care of the area.
After you leave the dental office
- Avoid Activity – Sit or lie down for the next two hours
- Avoid drinking out of a straw or spitting for several hours
- If pain persists – Take a Tylenol or Ibuprofen
- Prolonged Bleeding – Continue to keep pressure on the area by biting on a piece of gauze
Surgical Extraction Instructions
These extractions involve sutures and more manipulation than a simple one.
- Pain Medication – Your dentist has prescribed medication for you. Observe all instructions on the bottle
- Swelling – Apply ice packs to the swollen area and keep your head elevated at night
- Prolonged Bleeding – Bite on a folded piece of gauze with constant pressure
- Clean the Area – Rinse with warm salt water, brush your teeth as usual, and avoid brushing the area around the sutures
- Soft Food Diet – Avoid hard foods for the first 24 hours
" The dental procedures we specialize in enhance our
patients' look and their quality of life! "
If you are located in the Lansing, Michigan area and have a tooth that has been damaged by decay, periodontal disease or a severe crack, you should contact our office today. Our highly experienced cosmetic dentists can determine whether your tooth can be fixed or whether it needs to be extracted and replaced with an implant or bridge.
