Tooth Removal Process and Expectations
Dental extractions are generally straightforward out-patient procedures in which the patient can remain awake, however, increased levels of sedation can be used at the patient’s request. We will always use local anesthetic to numb your tooth before beginning.
During the tooth removal procedure, you may feel pressure, which is normal. Your comfort is our top priority, so if you feel any discomfort, please let us know right away. Some teeth may require sectioning when they are firmly fixed in the jaw or the root is curved. In this case, the doctor will simply section the tooth into smaller pieces to allow for complete removal. Depending on the procedure, full recovery can take anywhere from days to weeks.
What to Expect After Your Tooth Removal
The healing process begins by forming a stable blood clot. A clot forms best by biting down on gauze for 30 minute intervals, evaluating the gauze, and reapplying gauze to the site if some bleeding remains. You may have to cycle through several sets of gauze and pressure to form a non-bleeding clot.
After the clot is had, it is important not to agitate or disturb the clot site. Often we find that suction through straws, drinking, smoking, sharp hard foods, and vigorous swishing dislodge patients’ clots. To heal and reduce pain as best as possible, we recommend you refrain from these activities for a week. Additionally, vigorous exercise for the first 48 hours should be avoided to keep a stable clot.
We recommend you take plenty of fluids and eat nutritious, soft, foods after the tooth extraction. You can resume your normal dental hygiene after 24 hours around everywhere but the surgical site —please do not attempt to clean the surgical site out with anything other than a gentle cleansing of saline water. To make saline water combine ¼ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of water.
Please use pain and antibiotic medications as directed. Feel free to call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be relieving the pain significantly, if your pain gets worse four days or more after the extraction, or you appear to be having an allergic reaction.