Tooth Extraction Treatment

A tooth extraction could be necessary for various reasons, such as serious decay or injury. A tooth extraction, among the most frequent dental treatments, may get rid of microorganisms and enhance your general oral health.

Adults often have tooth extractions, with dentists and oral surgeons removing millions of teeth annually. So, knowing how to care for your extraction site after oral treatment is crucial whether you have a tooth pulled due to disease, trauma, congestion, or wisdom teeth removal.

Since information is power, it is critical to fully comprehend the tooth extraction treatment to comprehend the postoperative instructions and care. We specialize in comfortable tooth extractions and can equip our patients with the right knowledge for post-op recovery.

Why Do Patients Need Tooth Extraction Treatment?

Every Shoreline dentist would want to preserve natural teeth with preventive dentistry when feasible. A dental operation, a tooth extraction, involves completely pulling your impacted tooth from its socket. This is also referred to as "pulling" a tooth.

However, there are often circumstances when further restorative measures, like as dental crowns or fillings, are not helpful. If the dental decay is too severe, tooth extraction may be necessary. Having your teeth extracted may be necessary if you suffer from the following:

  • An Injured Tooth
  • Severe Tooth Decay
  • A Fractured Tooth
  • Crowded Teeth
  • Gum Diseases

How Do Patients Prepare for Tooth Extractions?

Your dentists will examine your afflicted tooth and the gums around it. Additionally, your dentist will take dental X-rays to assess the level of the bone and the extent of the harm. As a result, be sure to discuss any drugs, vitamins, or supplements you use with your dentist. Moreover, your dentist in Shoreline, Dr. Eric Yao, will thoroughly discuss alternatives for tooth extraction treatment and sedation with you when all the necessary data is available.

Several medical professionals administer sedation during dental operations like tooth extractions. Sedation is a fantastic alternative for individuals with dental anxiety or who want to feel more at ease during their treatment. The following list of sedatives is used in dentistry:

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
  • Oral conscious sedation
  • Intravenous (IV) sedation

Firstly, the best Shoreline dentist will administer a topical anesthetic to your afflicted tooth and the gum tissue around it to make them feel better. Your dentist will softly dislodge your tooth and delicately take it out of its socket using special dental tools.

To reach your tooth, your dentist may sometimes need to create incisions in your gums. This is particularly relevant and true if your tooth is severely decaying, or the gum line has been cut off. After that, the doctor will cleanse the socket and sterilize it after extracting your tooth.

A dental bone transplant may sometimes be necessary to help stop jawbone loss. We can lay down the entire plan in front of our patients before the operation and include them in every step. This way, our patients feel at ease during and after the operation. Finally, the doctors will use sutures to aid the healing process.

How Do Patients Prepare for Post-Op Recovery?

Once the tooth extraction treatment is over, your dentist will cover the extraction site with a piece of gauze. Moreover, they will instruct you to apply firm, consistent pressure. By doing so, the bleeding is slowed, and a blood clot might develop.

Clotting is a typical part of healing. It encourages healing and lowers the possibility of dry sockets. Once the bleeding has sufficiently subsided, you may remove the gauze. You can revisit the doctor within the first 24 hours for a dental exam if you experience abnormal bleeding. Similarly, you can continue to experience minor bleeding throughout the first 24 hours.

We offer clear and understandable post-op recovery instructions to our esteemed patients. This way, they can avoid unnecessary dental check-ups and handle everything at home without any complications.

Experiencing some discomfort after the anesthetic wears off is typical. You should also anticipate considerable swelling and lingering bleeding for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction. However, you should see your Shoreline dentist if the pain or bleeding persists for more than four hours after your tooth is removed. Call your Shoreline dentist if you also encounter any of the following:

  • Infection
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Redness, swelling, or excessive discharge
  • Cough
  • Chest pain

Are There Any Risks of Tooth Extraction?

The process of having a tooth extracted has several dangers. If your dentist does suggest the surgery, the advantages will probably exceed the minor possibility of complications. The impacted socket usually produces a blood clot on its own following a tooth extraction. A "dry socket" occurs when the bone within the socket is visible because the blood clot either does not form or dissolves. If this happens, the Shoreline dentist will cover the region with a sedative dressing for a few days to protect it. A fresh clot will develop throughout this period.

What To Do During the Post-Op Period?

The extraction site may become inflamed, which may interfere with clotting and healing. Avoiding these activities is crucial for a quick recovery and lowering your chance of developing a dry socket.

Smoking: The toxins in cigarettes may interfere with blood coagulation after tooth extraction and raise your chance of getting a dry socket. After your extraction, you shouldn't smoke for at least 48 hours.

Using Straws: Avoid using straws while drinking since the sucking motion might cause your clot to get dislodged, putting you at risk of bleeding and dry socket. For at least 48 hours, stay away from straws.

Spitting: Spit is not a good idea. Spit puts pressure on the mouth and may interfere with blood clotting, even if increased saliva and blood are typical following tooth extraction. Bend over the sink basin and let the blood and saliva trickle.

Let Professionals Handle the Tooth Extraction Treatment

Knowing that you need a tooth extraction is never enjoyable. However, there are situations when a tooth extraction is the most effective approach to get rid of an infection and get your smile and life back on track.

Dr. Eric Yao's tooth extraction services are among the best in the Shoreline area. Our dental staff can assess your situation and let you know if there are any preventative or cosmetic alternatives. If we still need to do a tooth extraction, we will lay down a blueprint of the procedure and offer the best outcomes. Moreover, we can help with post-op recovery as well. So, contact our Shoreline dentists now to book an appointment.