If you have been experiencing a toothache lately, it is likely that your tooth has been damaged because of decay or you have an infection. If your tooth has suffered minimal damaged, it can be fixed with procedures like crowning, filling, or other dental treatment options. However, when your tooth has been badly damaged, these options may not be viable. There is a good chance that it might need to be extracted. In case your tooth is deemed unsalvageable, PDX Center for Dentistry will have to perform a tooth extraction to prevent any further damage such as an infection, from happening.

What is a Tooth Extraction and How is it Done?

Tooth extraction is the process of removing your tooth from the socket in your bone. Tooth extraction is done in one of two ways, a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. Simple tooth extraction is commonly done if your tooth easily accessible and has little to no adverse structural damage to it. We will numb your tooth and gums before we do anything. Then we loosen your tooth with the use of a special instrument called an elevator. After it is loosened, we will remove your tooth with the use of a forceps. Removing your tooth by surgery is a more intricate process. We will do a surgical extraction is the tooth is not structurally stable or is cracked or broken at or below the gumline. In these instances, we may have to cut away part of the bone to perform the extraction or split the tooth into sections to handle the extraction. This procedure usually calls for some type of sedation, which means you will need someone to bring you to and from your appointment. You will also likely be given antibiotics either before or after the procedure to eliminate the risk of infection.

What Happens After Any Tooth Extraction Procedure?

In any case of tooth extraction, it is normal to feel mild discomfort during and even after the treatment procedure. Bleeding may also arise which can be treated by biting down a small gauze for about 30 minutes to clot the blood. In some instances, small bleeding may still occur within 24 hours after the extraction. If your face swells, you can apply a cold compress for 20 minutes to lessen the swelling. However, if your jaw gets taut and sore even after the swelling is gone, a warm compress may aid in reducing its stiffness and pain. As each extraction is different, so are the aftercare instructions we will provide you with. While many of the instructions are going to be considered universal, some will be individualized to your situation. Our goal is to make sure you have the best oral health possible, which means doing whatever we can to ensure your safety and comfort before, during and after any procedure we perform. If you would like to more about tooth extractions or would like to schedule an appointment with PDX Center for Dentistry, contact our office at today.