A tooth could need extraction to prevent issues like wisdom tooth impaction or to prepare smiles for a dental prosthetic, such as a dental implant. We take steps to ensure your tooth removal is a safe and comfortable procedure. Our team at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers talks about the process of extracting teeth and what you can expect from the procedure!
When Smiles Require Extraction
We may remove a tooth that is too damaged or decayed or infected to be treated with a root canal and crown. Otherwise, the infection could spread to other teeth. Our team can take out teeth to aid in orthodontic treatment, or that have been loosened by gum disease. If you’re receiving a prosthetic, such as a denture, we may remove teeth to pave the way for your new ones. Our team could also extract wisdom teeth, preferably before they even erupt, so you avoid impaction and complications like infection or misalignment.
Preparing for the Procedure
The procedure can often be completed in a single visit, and starts with an examination of your smile with digital x-rays. We will pinpoint the position of the tooth being extracted, and plan the removal to avoid sensitive tissues and structures. Once we’ve planned the procedure in detail, we will administer a local numbing agent and potentially even sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, one with little to no memory of the procedure at all. A trained anesthesiologist will be monitoring you the entire time.
The Extraction and Aftercare
Prior to your arrival, don’t eat anything for at least 8 hours and avoid tobacco use for at least 12. Be sure there is a friend or family member available to bring you home, as the effects of the sedation take time to wear off. Our team will gently extract the tooth with a pair of forceps, and then suture the extraction site closed. Afterward, be sure you take any prescribed medications, and clean the site as instructed. Be careful when brushing and flossing, rest, and avoid straw use. Avoid cigarettes and be sure you eat only soft foods. We want a clot to form and stay in place to avoid painful dry socket.
If you have any questions about how we plan and implement a tooth extraction, or if you need to schedule a visit to address a tooth that is severely damaged or aching, then contact our team today.
Find Out More About Extracting Teeth With Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers
We want to help you avoid major complications and enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles. Set aside some time to meet with our team at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Centers by calling us at (434) 282-2275 at our Charlottesville-Berkshire location today!