Extractions
Apex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina
At Triangle Periodontics, our philosophy is to prevent tooth loss whenever possible. Some situations, however, dictate that removing a tooth is the wisest course of action.
When is an extraction necessary?
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the U.S. When the disease begins to advance, the patient may experience extensive tooth decay, infections in the gums or teeth, and even loose teeth to the point that they need to be extracted or removed by periodontist, Dr. Otis Washington.
Other common reasons for an extraction include:
- Injury or blunt trauma to a tooth that cannot be stabilized
- Extensive tooth decay that does not leave enough healthy tooth structure to work with for a restoration
- Crooked teeth or crowding in the mouth to make way for orthodontics
- Wisdom teeth (3rd molars)
Although gum disease is preventable and treatable with proper dental care, sometimes teeth simply must be extracted because they are beyond repair. If you are concerned whether you should have a tooth extracted, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us at Triangle Periodontics. Dr. Otis Washington will assess your oral care needs and desire for a healthier smile when considering your options.
Extractions – what to expect
It is important that you share your complete health history, as well as a list of medications, vitamins, and supplements that you may take, with Dr. Washington. It may be medically necessary for you to cease taking certain medications and such, prior to your extraction. If this is the case, Dr. Washington will advise you on when to resume taking your medications following your procedure.
The procedure
Before performing an extraction procedure, Dr. Washington will ensure your mouth is made numb so that you remain comfortable throughout the entire procedure. While he extracts the tooth, you should not feel any pain whatsoever, although you may feel some pressure, this should not be painful, however.
In some cases, a tooth must be removed by way of a surgical extraction, which simply means a scalpel or laser may be necessary to access the tooth for removal. This is especially the case with impacted wisdom teeth that are underneath the gums. Sometimes, sutures may be used to facilitate the healing process.
Once the tooth is out, expect some bleeding to occur, so you will need to keep your mouth closed while firmly holding cotton gauze between your teeth at the area where the tooth was removed. Bleeding should subside within 20 minutes.
Following your extraction, we will provide you with the necessary post-op instructions on how to care for your mouth at home for the next few days. Should you experience minor discomfort, over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough to make the pain subside.
What should I expect following an extraction?
While we recommend resting the day of any extraction procedure, the next day you should be able to resume a normal routine. However, we usually advise eating a soft diet for the first few days following an extraction, while also gently swishing an oral rinse in addition to your regular at-home oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing.
If you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, you can trust Triangle Periodontics to provide the highest level of care. Contact our office at 919-782-9536 to schedule a consultation.
Triangle Periodontics welcomes patients of Apex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina.