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In certain situations, the oral care experts at Cambridge Dental Group may determine that removing a tooth is the best option for preserving your oral health. There are many reasons why a person may have a tooth extracted, including severe tooth decay, irreparable damage, advanced gum disease, poor tooth positioning and preparation for orthodontic treatment.
Although having a tooth removed can be a troubling thought, our trusted team is ready to help you through the process every step of the way. We will make sure that your tooth is extracted carefully and that you are provided with the best post-op care possible. After the process is complete, we will help you explore replacement options if necessary. Together, we can help make your tooth extraction as easy and pain-free as possible.
The first step of removing a tooth is to apply a local anesthetic to the designated tooth. This numbs the tooth, jawbone and gum, preventing the patient from experiencing any pain as the tooth is being removed. The actual extraction will take place once the tooth has been adequately numbed. During the removal process, the patient is expected to feel some pressure in the area, but no pain. Larger teeth may need to be cut into multiple sections prior to their removal.
In order to start the healing process, it is critical that a blood clot is formed as quickly as possible. The patient will be asked to bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes to form the clot. Once formed, the clot must not be disturbed in any way. The patient will be required to refrain from certain activities such as vigorous exercise and heavy rinsing immediately following the procedure.
Once the anesthetic wears off, it is common for the patient to experience some discomfort at the site of the extraction. As a way of managing this, we may recommend over-the-counter painkillers, or we will provide a prescription if necessary. Using an icepack on the outer cheek near the extraction site is also recommended to reduce swelling. The patient should be able to continue their usual brushing and flossing habits just 24 hours following the procedure. If intense pain or uncontrolled bleeding occurs, the patient should contact our office as soon as possible.
