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 our Silver Spring dental office but may refer you out to a local specialist in complex cases where teeth are significantly impacted in the bone. As a family dentist, we can 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
Wisdom tooth extraction is recommended when the growing or erupting teeth are impacting your overall dental health. Considered the third molars, wisdom teeth are often prevented from fully erupting due to space issues in the jaw and 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, wisdom teeth 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.
Once you are relaxed and your sedation has taken effect or the area is numbed by the local anesthetic, we will begin the process of removing the tooth to be extracted. After cleaning the area, your dentist will carefully detach the ligaments holding the tooth in the socket.
Once free, the tooth will be gently rocked back and forth until it can slide out of the socket without force, minimizing impact to soft tissues and neighboring teeth.
The socket is rinsed and cleaned and packed with sterile gauze to help the blood clot 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 having a tooth extracted it is important to remember not to smoke, drink through a straw, or eat hard food. Dentists recommend that patients stick to soft foods for a few days after having teeth extracted. Some foods that are safe to eat are yogurt, soup, smoothies, and milkshakes. Patients 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 after a tooth extraction, and depending on the patient’s work and how they are feeling the day after. Soft tissue takes 3-4 weeks to heal, but 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?
The ability to drive yourself home from a tooth extraction depends on if a patient was sedated or not. Many tooth extractions are done with local anesthesia, not sedation. If no oral sedation is used, then patients are perfectly capable to drive themselves home.
How many days should I rest after tooth extraction?
It is recommended that patients take at least 1-2 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 healing area 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. Toothpaste should not be used at all until the area is fully healed.