Tooth extractions

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Oral & maxillofacial surgery is our profession, but people are our focus.

Tooth extraction in our office

It is always our goal to save our patients’ natural teeth whenever possible. However, from time to time, a tooth becomes too decayed or damaged, and it must be extracted. Fortunately, technology, technique and anesthesia have come a long way over the years, enabling us to provide you with a safe, comfortable and quick extraction right here in our office. Our surgical teams are experts trained to perform extractions efficiently to get you back to your life without missing a beat.

Common conditions resulting in extraction

Severe Decay
Periodontal Disease
Fractures
Impacted Teeth
Orthodontic Preparation

The importance of natural teeth

As mentioned above, saving your natural teeth is always our preference, as they play a significant role in the health of your jawbone, which requires regular stimulation to maintain bone structure. A missing tooth will quickly lead to jawbone loss. For this reason, our expert team of oral surgeons may recommend a special grafting procedure at the same time as your extraction to prevent jawbone loss and provide favorable conditions for an implant down the road.

Having a tooth extracted

The process of tooth extraction includes local anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain, and additional anesthesia as needed to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. The procedure itself typically takes less than an hour, and results and recovery are very safe and predictable.

Recovery and home care

The most important things to know about recovery from a tooth extraction are:

Blood Clots: It is very important to form a strong blood clot following surgery. You can help the process by biting on a gauze pad for about an hour following the procedure.
Straws and Smoking: Do not use straws (or tobacco products) for several days following the surgery, as this will dislodge the clot, resulting in a very painful condition called “dry socket.”
Pain: As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience soreness for a few days. Patients are typically able to manage the pain adequately with over the counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen. Any necessary prescription medicines will be discussed prior to your surgery.
*Note: Specific tooth extraction home care instructions will be given prior to surgery, and we are here to answer any additional questions you have.

If you’ve been told you need an extraction, you’re not alone — in fact, most people will have a tooth extracted at some point during their life. Our surgical teams are here to provide you with the best care possible — offering a safe, seamless experience — please call us at the location that is most convenient to you.