Extractions & Preservation
Gentle care when extraction is necessary, with a focus on preserving your oral health
While we always strive to preserve your natural teeth, there are times when tooth extraction becomes necessary. At Englewood Family Dentistry, we understand that extractions can be stressful, and we're committed to providing you with gentle, compassionate care.
Our experienced dentists will carefully assess your situation and discuss all available options with you. We'll take into account your anxiety level, your long-term oral health goals, and any potential tooth replacement needs.
Our Services:
- Extractions: We perform gentle and efficient tooth extractions, taking every precaution to minimize discomfort and promote healing.
- Root Canals: Root canal therapy can often save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. We use modern techniques to make the procedure as comfortable and efficient as possible.
- Oral Surgery: We offer a range of minor oral surgery procedures to address issues such as gum disease, bone defects, and impacted teeth.
- Bone Grafting: Bone grafting can help regenerate lost bone tissue, providing a strong foundation for dental implants or other restorative treatments.
Our Extraction & Preservation Services
Simple Extractions
For visible teeth that can be removed with forceps, our gentle approach minimizes discomfort and promotes quick healing. Local anesthesia ensures you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
Surgical Extractions
For impacted teeth or those with complex root structures, our surgical approach provides safe and effective removal while preserving surrounding tissues and bone structure.
Root Canal Therapy
When infection reaches the tooth's pulp, root canal therapy removes the infected tissue while preserving the natural tooth structure, often eliminating the need for extraction.
Bone Grafting
After extractions, bone grafting preserves the socket and stimulates new bone growth, creating a solid foundation for future dental implants or other restorative options.
When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
While our goal is always to save your natural teeth whenever possible, there are certain situations where extraction becomes the best option for your overall oral health:
Severe Damage
Teeth that are severely damaged due to trauma or decay beyond what can be repaired with fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Third molars (wisdom teeth) that don't have enough room to emerge properly, causing pain, infection, or damage to adjacent teeth.
Advanced Infection
Teeth with severe infection that hasn't responded to antibiotic treatment or root canal therapy.
Orthodontic Needs
Overcrowded teeth that need to be removed to create space for proper alignment during orthodontic treatment.
Loose Teeth
Teeth that have become loose due to advanced periodontal (gum) disease affecting the supporting bone structure.
Financial Considerations
When other treatments would be prohibitively expensive and extraction with replacement options offers a more affordable solution.
Our Extraction Process
We follow a careful, patient-centered approach to ensure your comfort and promote optimal healing:
Comprehensive Evaluation
Digital X-rays and thorough examination to assess the tooth and surrounding structures
Treatment Planning
Discussion of options, procedure details, and post-extraction restoration possibilities
Comfortable Procedure
Effective anesthesia and gentle techniques to ensure a pain-free experience
Aftercare Support
Detailed instructions and follow-up to monitor healing and address any concerns
Post-Extraction Care
Proper aftercare is essential for quick healing and preventing complications following a tooth extraction. We'll provide detailed instructions tailored to your specific needs, but here are some general guidelines:
Aftercare Guidelines
- First 24 Hours: Bite down gently on gauze pads to control bleeding, change them as directed, and avoid rinsing, spitting, or using straws.
- Swelling Management: Apply ice packs to the outside of your face in 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling.
- Pain Relief: Take prescribed or recommended over-the-counter pain medications as directed.
- Diet: Stick to soft foods and liquids for the first few days, gradually returning to your normal diet as healing progresses.
- Oral Hygiene: Continue brushing and flossing, but avoid the extraction site initially. Gentle salt water rinses can begin 24 hours after the procedure.
- Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activities for 48-72 hours, as they can increase bleeding and delay healing.
- Follow-Up: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments so we can monitor your healing and remove stitches if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
With modern anesthetics and techniques, you should feel little to no pain during the extraction procedure. You'll feel pressure and movement, but not sharp pain. After the procedure, some discomfort is normal but can be managed effectively with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications.
Recovery time varies depending on the complexity of the extraction and your individual healing factors. For simple extractions, initial healing typically occurs within 7-10 days. For surgical extractions or multiple extractions, full healing may take 2-3 weeks. The extraction socket will continue to fill in and remodel for several months.
Severe pain that isn't relieved by prescribed pain medication, especially if accompanied by fever, excessive swelling, or pus, could indicate an infection or other complication such as dry socket. Contact our office immediately if you experience these symptoms, as prompt treatment is important.
Several options are available for tooth replacement after extraction, including dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures. The best choice depends on factors like the location of the missing tooth, your oral health, budget, and personal preferences. We'll discuss all options with you before the extraction so you can make an informed decision about restoration.
Bone grafting isn't always necessary but is often recommended if you're considering a dental implant in the future. After extraction, the jawbone naturally begins to shrink in the area where the tooth was removed. Bone grafting preserves the socket dimensions and bone volume, creating an optimal foundation for future implant placement. We'll evaluate your specific situation and discuss whether bone grafting would be beneficial for you.