Tooth Extraction Services

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is a procedure where your dentist removes one or more of your teeth. The team at Archie Dental Group practices conservative dentistry that aims to keep the natural structures of your smile intact. Sometimes, a damaged or infected tooth can cause more trouble than it’s worth. In these cases, your smile and overall health benefit more from its removal. 

When would I need a tooth extraction?

Some of the more common reasons that you might need to extract a tooth include: 

• To prepare for complete dentures
• Crowding
• Excessive tooth decay
• Complications from gum disease
• Infection

Some patients undergoing an organ transplant or chemotherapy will occasionally need extractions of at-risk teeth to reduce the risk of infection during treatment. 

What happens during a tooth extraction procedure?

First, your dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding tissues so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during your procedure. Then, they use an elevator tool to loosen the ligaments holding your tooth in place, making it easier to extract from your jawbone. Once your tooth is significantly loose, your dentist removes it with forceps. 

After removing your tooth, your dentist packs gauze in your empty socket and has you bite down to stop the bleeding—eventually, a blood clot forms in the socket. Sometimes, your dentist might use stitches to close up your extraction site to help speed up your recovery process.

What is the recovery process like after a tooth extraction?

The team at Archie Dental Group gives you specific instructions after your extraction, detailing how to keep your mouth healthy and shorten your recovery period. Some standard aftercare instructions for tooth extractions include:

• Minimize rigorous activity for a few days
• Use gauze to stop any bleeding
• Apply ice packs to reduce swelling
• Don’t rinse or spit forcefully for a day or so after your extraction
• Don’t drink from straws or smoke cigarettes for a few days
• Switch to a diet of soft foods for a short period

Your dentist may also prescribe pain medicine to help minimize your discomfort while you heal.

Call the office or book online today to learn more about the tooth extraction procedure and whether you need one.