At the Frederick Center for Dentistry, will always make every effort to avoid having to extract a tooth. However, there are situations where an extraction is necessary for the long-term health and function of your mouth. Trauma, severe infection, damage, or overcrowding are all common reasons for tooth extraction. Dr. Sahil Goyal can perform a tooth extraction in Frederick, MD during a single visit to his dental practice.
What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is a fairly simple general dental procedure. Dr. Sahil Goyal will begin by preparing the tooth. He will numb the area with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort and extract the tooth. Once you are completely numb, he will use special tools to loosen the tooth and remove it from the socket.
You will experienced some pressure and tugging, however you should not feel pain. After our dentist extracts the tooth, we will pack the socket with gauze to control the bleeding. We ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the appointment.
You may experience some swelling. However, applying an ice pack to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications and the swelling will subside after 48 hours. You can begin to brush and floss your teeth normally again after 48 hours.
Replacing Teeth After Extraction
Dr. Goyal will review all your options for tooth replacement after he pulls the tooth. He provides several restorative treatments to replace missing teeth. Discuss the following options with your dentist to determine which one is best for your dental health.
Dental implants are one of the best long-term, natural-looking solutions for missing teeth. Dr. Goyal performs many types of dental implant services to patients in his Frederick dental office.
A dental implant is a titanium post that a dentist or oral surgeon places in the jaw bone, then caps with a dental crown. The implant post will also act as a tooth root replacement and help to prevent bone loss. To learn more about the benefits of dental implants, visit Dental implants.
A dental bridge is a single fixture that consists of crowns and pontics (the replacement teeth). These pieces attach together and secure to the adjacent teeth to replace a single tooth. The dentist prepares the adjacent teeth and reduces them in size to create room for the crowns. To learn more about the dental bridge process, visit Dental bridge.
Partial dentures can also replace teeth, however this is the least durable solution. Partial dentures are removable appliances that replace one or more extracted teeth. A partial denture can consist of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal.
You can remove the partial denture to clean it and it attaches to the remaining teeth. To learn more about your denture options, visit Dentures and partials.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
A tooth extraction may seem like a straight forward procedure. However our patients seem to have may questions about the procedure. Read our most commonly asked questions about tooth extractions in Frederick, MD.
Should I have a wisdom tooth extraction?
We will monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth and help you determine if you should remove them. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can cause sore gums, jaw pain, and overcrowding or shifting teeth. We commonly recommend wisdom tooth removal to our patients to avoid future dental issues and impacted teeth.
Is it better to remove a damaged tooth or repair it?
We try to save as much of your natural tooth as possible before we even consider removing it. A natural tooth, even weakened, is better for your oral health. We treat periodontal disease and cavities, however, there are times when a tooth is too damaged to repair.
Dr. Goyal will examine your teeth to determine the best course of action. We will decide if it needs support or if we need to remove and replace it.
Do tooth extractions relieve tooth pain?
Yes, a tooth extractions can alleviate tooth pain if an infection or severe damage is present. If you have a dental injury or an infected tooth, please cal our office as soon as possible. A tooth extraction can also target pain from impacted teeth and severe gum disease or tooth decay. A thorough dental exam is always necessary to determine to best course of action.
How many days should I rest after tooth extraction?
After a simple extraction, your dentist will want you to rest for at least 24 hours. This means resting and avoiding all forms of physical activity so that your body can heal. After a day, you can resume your normal, daily activities.
However, please avoid strenuous exercising for several more days. At least up to two weeks, depending on how well you are healing. In general, you need to be resting for two to three days following the surgery.
Can I drink cold water after tooth extraction?
Ice cold water is great to drink after an extraction. Ice reduces swelling, and the coolness dulls pain by numbing the affected area of your mouth. It can also help with pain control in general.
However, be sure to sip the water gently. Also, never suck liquids in through a straw as this habit can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket. Dry socket is a symptom of poor care after a tooth removal procedure.
How do I sleep the first night after a tooth extraction?
The extraction site for the tooth may ooze throughout the initial phases of healing. For the first night, we recommend sleeping on your side because of this. If possible, you should also sleep elevated. Also, you have the risk of experiencing increased swelling if you lie flat on your back.
What are the signs of infection after a tooth extraction?
Yellow or white discharge, discomfort, and swelling around the extraction site are signs that a tooth extraction site has an infection. You should visit your dentist right away if you are concerned about a potential infection. If an infection is present, you can confirm it and help provide treatment options.
Contact our Frederick, MD, Dental Office
Do you need to remove a diseased tooth? Maybe you have impacted wisdom teeth. Call 301-264-5680 or schedule a dental exam with Dr. Goyal on our website.