Are your wisdom teeth causing pain? Do you have a severely decayed tooth? In our Lansdale, PA, dental office, we provide tooth extraction procedures for infected and impacted teeth. As a general dentistry solution, tooth extractions help prevent the spread of infection and damage to permanent teeth. Although many patients may be wary of dental extractions, we make the procedure as pain-free as possible. Our dental office uses local anesthesia and nitrous oxide so patients feel relaxed during their treatments.
Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
At our office, we practice conservative dentistry. We want to save your natural tooth root, if possible, to avoid the complications that come with missing teeth. But sometimes, a tooth extraction is the best choice for oral and overall health. We’ll thoroughly examine whether your tooth can be saved or if extraction is the right choice.
The most common extraction cause is severe tooth decay. Tooth decay starts by creating holes in the enamel layer of your tooth. If left untreated, it burrows through the different layers of your teeth, reaching the dental pulp. Root canal procedures take care of the dental pulp, but only if the tooth is stable enough to withstand the procedure. An extraction is needed when the tooth doesn’t have a stable structure.
Trauma can fracture a tooth in many different ways. We have multiple treatment options to try and treat them to salvage the tooth. Dental crowns and root canal therapy can usually stabilize a damaged tooth. Gums and underlying bone structure can be so decayed with gum disease that they can’t hold a tooth properly in place anymore. Poor bone density usually means that we can’t salvage the natural tooth.
Lastly, tooth extraction is needed when there are extra teeth or before orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, baby teeth don’t fall out. This doesn’t provide room for the adult teeth to grow in properly and makes your mouth extremely cramped. Before braces, some teeth might have to be removed so that we can properly balance your bite with orthodontic treatment.
Simple and Complex Tooth Extractions
Dental extractions are often categorized as simple or complex. During a simple extraction, we remove teeth above the gum line and gently rock the tooth back and forth to release it from the socket. Because this procedure is quick, we only need localized anesthesia, which numbs the mouth so that our patients do not feel pain.
Complex tooth extractions remove teeth below the gum line. Because complex extractions typically have a longer treatment time, we will use anesthesia and nitrous oxide for this procedure. We may need to break the tooth into pieces to remove it fully. However, patients will not feel any pain during this procedure.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth. Also known as “third molars,” wisdom teeth erupt behind the back molars. Many patients need their wisdom teeth removed if they become impacted. Impacted teeth do not have enough room in the mouth to emerge, which can damage the molars and overcrowd teeth.
We take dental x-rays at routine appointments to monitor the emergence of wisdom teeth. During the extraction procedure, we use sedation and anesthesia to remove the wisdom teeth and prevent further pain or tooth damage.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Proper care of the extraction site after a tooth extraction is crucial. You don’t want dry socket or other complications while trying to heal. We’ll give you specific aftercare instructions to take with you after your extraction procedure. Follow the instructions to ensure a good experience while the site heals.
Keeping the area clean is especially important. Brush and floss your teeth as you would normally, but avoid directly brushing or flossing at the extraction site. Do gentle rinses with warm salt water or antimicrobial mouthwash to ensure the site remains clean and debris-free. You don’t want food particles or anything to settle at that site.
Depending on the type of extraction, we may prescribe you antibiotics or pain relievers. We may also recommend over-the-counter medications to manage your pain and discomfort. Take any prescribed medications exactly as we direct you to. You can use over-the-counter medications at your discretion.
For the first few days, avoid hard or crunchy foods. Stick to soft foods that don’t need to be chewed a lot. Try to avoid actual chewing in the area where your tooth was extracted. Also, avoid smoking and drinking through straws, two of the biggest contributors to dry sockets. You don’t want to mess up the clotting process.
What is dry socket?
A dry socket is a condition that typically occurs after tooth extraction. Normally, a blood clot should form at the extraction site. However, if the blood clot dissolves, it can expose the nerves and bone beneath. Contact us immediately if you do not have a clot at the extraction site. Dry socket is a painful and uncomfortable condition we can easily treat in our office.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Do you want to learn more about tooth extraction treatment in our Lansdale, PA, dental office? Read answers to these commonly asked questions:
How long is tooth extraction treatment?
More simple tooth extractions can take 10 minutes to an hour. Removing wisdom teeth can take multiple hours because they may not fully emerge. However, we can provide nitrous oxide if we are removing your wisdom teeth so the procedure will pass by quickly without any pain.
What is the most painful tooth to extract?
Wisdom teeth that have not fully emerged meaning they are impacted, can be the most difficult and painful to remove. The wisdom teeth emerge behind the back molars. Impacted wisdom teeth removal takes time and skill. However, because we use dental sedation when removing wisdom teeth, patients will not feel any pain during their tooth extraction treatment.
When can you eat after a tooth extraction?
You can begin to eat an hour after your tooth extraction. For the first 24 hours after the extraction, drink liquids and eat soft foods. Hard and crunchy foods can increase pain and swelling.
Can I drink water after a tooth extraction?
Yes, you can drink water after your tooth extraction. However, avoid drinking through a straw, because it can dislodge the protective blood clots that cover your extraction sites. Also, avoid hot beverages, which can irritate the soft tissues of your mouth.
Should I take off work after my tooth extraction?
We recommend resting 72 hours after a complex tooth extraction, so you should take off work. Resting will ensure that your extraction sites heal properly. The time may differ for simple tooth extractions.
Is hot or cold better after a tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, you can use an ice pack at home to help reduce swelling. Place the ice pack on your cheeks for 15 to 20 minutes with 10-minute breaks. After 24 hours, begin using heating pads to bring the swelling down.
What is the hardest tooth to remove?
The hardest tooth to remove is usually the third molar, or wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, and sometimes they don’t have enough room to come in properly. This can cause them to get stuck, or “impacted,” in the jawbone or gums, making them tricky to remove.
Their position and size make the removal more challenging, and the procedure may take longer. Our dentists are trained to handle these tough extractions, with special tools to make sure it’s done safely.
How much does it cost to get a tooth extraction?
The cost of a tooth extraction can vary. Simple extractions cost less per tooth. It might cost more if the tooth is impacted, like a wisdom tooth.
The price depends on the type of tooth, how difficult it is to remove, and whether you need an oral surgeon. Dental insurance may cover part of the cost. Please check with your insurance provider to know exactly what to expect. We will also provide an estimate of your tooth extraction cost before treatment.
Contact Our Office
Do you need to remove a problem tooth? Get a tooth extraction in our Lansdale, PA, dental office. Call 267-651-7247 or request a dental appointment with our team online. Please let us know if you have further questions at your next consultation, and we can help!