A tooth extraction is typically a treatment of last resort in the case of damage or advanced tooth decay. However, it may be the necessary part of a treatment plan for overcrowding and orthodontics. The most common tooth extraction, and one that most patients will experience, is wisdom teeth removal.
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy can perform tooth extractions in their Silver Spring dental office. However, they may refer you out to a local specialist in complex cases where teeth are significantly impacted in the bone. As a family dentist, we will monitor the development of wisdom teeth in children and young adults, recommending extraction when appropriate for long-term dental health.
A tooth extraction often creates the need for tooth replacement. Your dentist will discuss your needs and present appropriate treatment options for restoring your smile with a dental implant, dental bridge, or denture. Replacing a lost or extracted tooth as soon as possible is important for the integrity of your smile.
Missing teeth can allow existing teeth to shift position and often lead to bone loss in the jaw. Prompt and effective treatment will help you maintain the structure, appearance, and function of your smile.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Silver Spring, MD
We recommend wisdom teeth extraction when the growing or erupting teeth are impacting your overall dental health. Wisdom teeth are the third molars and can sometimes not full erupt due to space issues in the jaw. Because of this, they will become impacted in the bone. In many cases, they are pushing against the second molars or on nerves in the jaw and can cause discomfort as they grow.
Left in place, a wisdom tooth can affect the fit and function of your bite, increase the risk of decay, and possibly cause infection in the bone if impacted. Removing wisdom teeth that have been identified as a threat to long-term oral health is often done in the late teens and early twenties. This is the ideal time to remove wisdom teeth before the roots have fully formed.
Tooth Extractions in Silver Spring, MD
A tooth extraction, although often stress-inducing, is a relatively simple procedure that only takes a few minutes once you are comfortable and the area is numb. Your dentist in Silver Spring, MD offers sedation options for a more complex extraction, and for anxious patients who would prefer to be completely relaxed during the procedure.
We will discuss your options prior to your procedure so that you will know what to expect when you come in for your extraction. We want patients to feel well informed about their oral health, treatment options, what to expect and how to care for their smile between visits.
If you require sedation, we will wait until that takes effect. Then your dentist will numb the area around tooth with a local anesthetic. After cleaning the area, your dentist will carefully detach the ligaments holding the tooth in the socket.
Once free, your dentist will gently rock the tooth back and forth until it can slide out of the socket without force, minimizing impact to soft tissues and neighboring teeth.
The last step is to rinse, clean, and pack the socket with sterile gauze. This will help stop the bleeding and keep debris from getting lodged in the open area.
Tooth Extraction Post-op Care
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Do and don’ts after tooth extraction?
After the procedure, you cannot smoke, drink through a straw, or eat hard food. After extracting your teeth, your dentist will suggest that you stick to soft foods for a few days. Some foods that are safe to eat are yogurt, soup, smoothies, and milkshakes. You should also avoid consuming hot or spicy foods.
How many days should I rest after tooth extraction?
Most dentists recommend that patients rest the full day. Then, depending on the patient’s work and how they are feeling, the day after. Soft tissue takes 3-4 weeks to heal. However, swelling typically goes down within 72 hours and effects from sedation wear off about 6 hours after the extraction.
Can I drive myself home after a tooth extraction?
Whether or not you require sedation for your tooth extraction will determine if you can drive yourself home. We can complete some tooth extractions with local anesthesia, not sedation. If you do not need sedation, then you will be able to drive yourself home from our Silver Spring, Maryland dentist office.
How many days should I rest after tooth extraction?
We recommend that patients take about one to two days off of work. It will take around a week for your gums around the area of the extraction to heal.
Can I use toothpaste after extraction?
After a tooth extraction, it is important to be sure to keep the extraction site clean and away from anything that may prevent or interfere with healing. It is important to refrain from brushing the area for 3-4 days after the procedure. Brushing or any contact with the healing area can prevent clots from forming. You should not use toothpaste at all until the area is done healing.