Although not ideal, sometimes a tooth will need to be extracted. If this is the case, the procedure is a lot easier than you might think and we’ll make sure to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
You will most likely need an extraction if you have impacted wisdom teeth, but we will try to do everything possible to save your normal teeth before turning to extraction. If you are in severe pain and your teeth are severely decayed, they may beyond saving and need to be removed.
A tooth extraction is actually a very simple procedure that is done fairly regularly. A local anesthetic will first be used to numb the area surrounding the tooth, so you won’t feel any pain.
The actual procedure will not take too long and you will mainly only feel some slight pressure as the tooth is removed. You may also hear a slight cracking sound, which is normal. Once the tooth is extracted, the swelling should go down within a few days. During the recovery period, you should follow the instructions we give you to make sure everything heals correctly.
You don’t have to worry about pain when you eat
You’ll stop the spread of infection
You’ll have better overall oral health
After the procedure, we’ll have you bite down on a gauze pad for around 30 to 45 minutes. You may need to continue beyond that if it’s still bleeding. The next 72 hours are crucial as you don’t want to dislodge the blood clot, so don’t chew in that area, smoke, drink alcohol, or use a straw for that time period.
If you experience swelling, gently hold an ice pack or a bag of frozen corn up to the area, plus take any prescribed pain medications if necessary. If the swelling or bleeding lasts for more than two or three days, or if you experience severe pain, contact us immediately.
While a tooth extraction is almost always a last resort, if you feel like you may need a tooth extraction, or if you are wondering about your options for chronic tooth pain, give us a call to schedule an appointment.
2424 Roswell Road, Suite 120 Marietta, GA 30062
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm