Tooth Extraction in Charles Town, WV
Dental Extractions in Charles Town
There are a number of different reasons a tooth may need to be extracted (pulled). Some teeth are removed because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need to be extracted because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment. In some cases, the tooth is simply not repairable, or may be decayed below the gum line, or has lost too much bone due to gum disease. Sometimes, it’s a matter of health in the case of infections, cysts, or wisdom teeth. And teeth are frequently removed to create the space necessary to allow for other teeth to grow.
Dental Experts You Can Trust
Your Charles Town Dentists, Drs. Salas and Armentrout, are very skilled at teeth extractions but understand the removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health. Call us today at 304-725-4492 to discuss your options.
The Extractions Process
At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic. During the extraction process, you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal. You will feel pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please Charles Town Smiles know right away.
Sectioning a Tooth
Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections and then removes each section one at a time.
After Extraction Home Care
If swelling occurs you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.
If you experience pain you may use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
For most extractions just make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours.
Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this. Blood clots that form in the empty socket. This is an important part of the healing process and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot.
- Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction.
- Avoid use of a straw, smoking or hot liquids.
After the extractions, avoid brushing the teeth near the extractions for one day. After that you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.
After a tooth has been extracted there will be a resulting hole in your jawbone where the tooth was. In time, this will smooth and fill in with bone. This process can take many weeks or months. However, after 1-2 weeks you should no longer notice any inconvenience.
Dry Socket
A dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth has been extracted or the clot has been dislodged, and the healing is significantly delayed. Following the post-extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing a dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain, which doesn’t appear until three or four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. A dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath and the extraction site appears dry. If you believe you have a dry socket after an extraction, please contact our office.