Tooth Extractions
Our doctors, who are diplomates of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABOMS), carefully remove damaged and non-restorable teeth. To provide the safest and most comfortable tooth extraction procedure, we provide anesthesia services, including intravenous (IV) sedation and general anesthesia when teeth are removed. Your oral surgeon will always discuss the most optimal sedation approach for you before any procedure.
Having a tooth extracted can be a scary procedure, and we do everything we can to make it as comfortable as possible. Our surgeons use the cutting-edge anesthesia and pain control techniques. These include IV sedation, general anesthesia, local anesthesia and inhalation analgesia.
Symptoms & Signs of Damaged Teeth
While only your oral surgeon can determine whether your tooth or teeth need to be extracted, the following are signs your tooth or teeth should be removed:
- Tooth pain that does not go away, (e.g., waking up from extreme pain)
- Tooth pain when biting down
- Jaw pain
Will I need to stay in a hospital?
You will not need to stay in a hospital if you are only having your tooth/teeth extracted. However, you may need to if you have other oral surgeries.
How will the tooth or teeth be extracted?
Depending on your situation, your oral surgeon will create a treatment plan specifically for you. They will also review their plan with you before proceeding with any treatment. Typically, your surgeon will:
- Obtain X-rays of the tooth/teeth
- Numb the area with a local anesthetic and/or sedate you via intravenous (IV) sedation.
- First loosen the tooth, then remove it along with the entire root.
- Provide you a with gauze to bite down on to stop any bleeding.
- Prescribe pain medication to help with pain management for a few days. Written instructions on how to manage your oral care over the next few days will also be provided.
What about dental implants?
You may have the option to have the extracted tooth replaced with a dental implant. Your oral surgeon will discuss these details with you. If you choose to have a dental implant, your surgeon may suggest placing it during the time of the tooth extraction. However, this depends on whether you have enough bone to support an implant. If not, you may need need a bone graft. If you need a bone graft, your oral surgeon may elect to do the graft during the tooth extraction. Your surgeon will discuss all options with you before any procedure.
How long does it take to recover from tooth extractions?
There are numerous factors that determine how long it will take for a patient to recover (e.g., number of teeth pulled, oral health, etc.). Thus, your oral surgeon will discuss with you the details for your unique case.