Different Types of Extractions

• A Simple extraction - is performed on teeth that will only require the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth. Simple extractions are completed using local anesthetic. Then the tooth is lifted using an elevator and grasped with dental forceps, rocking back and forth until the tooth is loose enough to remove.
• A surgical extraction - is a more complex procedure. You will require a surgical extraction if the tooth is broken off at or near the gum line or if the tooth is not yet erupted. The doctor will use a hand-piece to remove some of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in half in order to extract it.

Home Care Following an Extraction
You will be given post operative instructions following your extraction. Having an extraction is considered a surgical procedure. Therefore, it is common to have discomfort even after the simplest of extractions. Taking medication such as Ibuprofen will help tremendously with any post operative pain. You can also use an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling alternating 20 minutes on/20 minutes off.
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You will be given a piece of gauze to bite on for an hour after the procedure. This causes pressure that allows the blood to clot. You will still have a small amount of bleeding for the next 24 hours or so. We recommend placing a towel that you do not mind getting dirty over your pillow for the first night.

Eat softer and cool foods for the first 3 days following surgery. You should not smoke, use a straw or spit after surgery. Doing so can knock the blood clot out of place.

Dry Socket
A secondary infection called dry socket develops in about 3% to 4% of all extractions. This occurs when the blood clot breaks off or breaks down too early (usually caused by smoking after surgery). A dry socket is when the bone is exposed to air and food. This is very painful and can cause a bad odor or taste. Typically dry sockets begin to cause pain the third day after surgery. Dry sockets are treated by placing a medicated dressing to stop the pain. 

Call the office if:
The swelling gets worse instead of better
You have fever, chills or redness
You have uncontrolled bleeding in the area
The extraction site becomes very painful - This may be a sign that you have developed a dry socket

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Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone.

Reasons you may need an extraction

• If a tooth is damaged beyond repair (severely decayed, fractured, or abscessed)
• Excessive bone loss secondary to Periodontal Disease
• Supernumerary teeth (extra tooth) causing crowding or issues with other teeth
• If a baby tooth has not exfoliated in time for the adult tooth to erupt in place
• It is common to have teeth extracted during Orthodontic treatment to make room and correct crowding
• People receiving cancer drugs may develop infected teeth because these drugs weaken the immune system. Infected teeth commonly need to be extracted.
• Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted either before or after they come in. They commonly come in during the late teens or early 20s. They need to be removed if they are decayed, cause pain or have a cyst or infection. These teeth often get stuck in the jaw (impacted) and do not come in. This can irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling. In this case, the tooth must be removed. If you need all four wisdom teeth removed, they are usually taken out at the same time.