Pain-Relieving Tooth Extractions
Teeth that are severely damaged or infected may need to be extracted to preserve your oral health and protect the rest of your smile. In cases where your tooth can’t be saved by any of our dental treatments, the best solution is to remove it before any further complications can develop. Fortunately, at Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, Dr. Brown and Dr. Baran can perform the tooth extraction procedure using a combination of gentle techniques and local anesthesia.
A tooth extraction doesn’t mean the end of your smile. Read our guide below to learn how our team can preserve your natural smile and keep it healthy for years to come. We serve patients who reside in the Pike Creek, Marshallton, and Stanton, DE areas.
What Are Tooth Extractions?
A tooth extraction is a surgical procedure designed to remove a tooth that’s become too infected or damaged. This type of treatment is only recommended as a last resort when all other treatments are determined to be ineffective. While the idea of having a tooth removed might be intimidating, it’s sometimes the best way to make sure an injury doesn’t affect the rest of your smile. Along with being completely gentle, a tooth extraction can allow your dentist to dramatically improve your smile with a beautiful, custom dental implant.
Reasons for a Single Tooth Extraction
A seriously infected tooth should never be ignored. During your initial consultation with your dentist, we’ll assess your teeth for damage and determine the next steps. Signs that may indicate an extraction is needed include:
- Impacted wisdom tooth
- Extreme instances of tooth decay
- Significant injury, damage, or trauma
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Overcrowded teeth
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
At Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, our tooth extractions are quick and gentle. During your consultation with your dentist, they’ll examine your tooth and the surrounding gum area to see if it should be extracted. Thanks to modern advancements in technology and more refined dental techniques, removing a tooth and replacing it with a restoration has never been easier.
We’ll begin your procedure by applying an anesthetic to the targeted area. Your dentist will remove your tooth by using special dental tools. Afterward, your dentist will disinfect and clean the surgical site to ensure there isn’t any infection or leftover debris.
Aftercare Tips
The recovery period following your procedure is important. While your dentist will prepare a plan that works best for you, we also recommend the following aftercare rules:
- Eat soft foods like applesauce and yogurt
- Avoid extremely hot liquids like coffee or soups
- Refrain from smoking, tobacco use, and alcohol
- Rest for 24 hours following your procedure
- Take pain medication as prescribed
- Apply an ice pack
If you experience any persistent discomfort or sensitivity, call either our Wilmington, DE office or Seaford, DE practice at (302) 999-7600 and (302) 536-7589, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your dentist will apply an anesthetic to numb the area surrounding your tooth. This will help relieve any pain or discomfort you may experience during your tooth extraction. Our dental team will then be able to go in and perform far less painful extractions than ever before. During your consultation, you’ll be able to discuss what level of sedation is right for you to ensure your overall comfortability.
Recovering from a tooth extraction usually takes around seven to 10 days. However, the healing process can vary depending on the type of extraction and the location of the tooth being pulled. During your initial consultation, your dentist will examine your oral health and mouth to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This will include the details of your procedure, as well as the anticipated recovery time.
Once your tooth has been extracted, a blood clot typically forms in the socket. We’ll pack a gauze pad into the socket and ask that you bite down on it to help reduce the bleeding. In some cases, the blood clot in the socket may break loose and expose the bone, resulting in a painful and uncomfortable condition called dry socket. If this happens, your dentist can protect the extraction site until new clots form.
It’s crucial to replace an extracted tooth to restore your ability to chew and speak properly. Leaving the area untouched can cause bone loss and neighboring teeth to shift. Fortunately, our dentists can restore your extracted tooth with restorative dentistry, including treatments such as dental implants, dental crowns, and removable dentures.
Relieve Your Tooth Pain Today
An infected tooth can put your entire smile at risk. Fortunately, at Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, our dentists can provide patients with gentle and effective tooth extractions to remove a tooth that’s damaged or severely infected. Best of all, we can replace your tooth with a beautiful, custom restoration.
For more information about tooth extractions, contact either our Wilmington, DE office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford, DE office at (302) 536-7589. We proudly serve patients in the Pike Creek, Marshallton, and Stanton, DE areas.
