Tooth Extractions in Cary, NC
While maintaining your natural teeth is ideal, it may become necessary to remove one or more teeth. Known as dental extraction, this process involves the removal of teeth from the alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone. Cary Dental Center may recommend extractions for a number of reasons, such as trauma, overcrowding, or disease. Other dental treatments like fillings or crowns are often attempted first. If traditional treatments fail, an extraction is a fast and efficient way to remove a tooth that cannot be saved. Learn more about professional tooth extractions and what exactly this procedure entails.
The Tooth Extraction Process
Before extracting a tooth, our dentist will offer an injection of local anesthetic to numb the area and minimize discomfort. A simple extraction is typically performed on visible teeth in the mouth. During a simple extraction, the dentist will nudge the tooth loose with a dental tool known as an elevator. Next, forceps are used to grasp and remove the tooth. If a tooth is impacted or has suffered trauma, a surgical extraction may be required. Surgical extractions are generally performed by oral surgeons. During a surgical extraction, a small incision is made in the gum and the tooth is then removed.
Tooth Extraction Recovery Tips
After a tooth extraction, you can expect some minimal bleeding to occur. In the days and weeks following the procedure, the socket will slowly fill the space where the tooth root was with new bone and gum tissue. The initial healing period takes about one to two weeks. To make the recovery process easier, follow these simple tips:
- Bite gently on a gauze pad to allow a blood clot to form in the tooth socket.
- Avoid drinking through a straw for at least 1 to 2 days.
- Do not spit or rinse forcefully for at least 24 hours after the extraction.
- Don’t smoke or do anything that could prevent normal healing.
- Maintain a soft food diet with options such as soup, applesauce, or yogurt.
- When lying down, elevate your head to reduce post-treatment bleeding.
- Brush and floss as normal to reduce the risk of infection, but avoid the extraction site.
Learn More About Tooth Extraction
At Cary Dental Center, we aim to preserve as much as your natural tooth structure as possible. However, we understand that there are some instances in which natural tooth or the supporting bone has become unsalvageable. When this occurs, tooth extraction is often the best course of treatment. To learn more about tooth extraction or to schedule an appointment, call our office today.