Tooth Extractions North York

Dental Extractions and Bone Grafting

During a dental examination North York family dentist Dr.Nubia Diaz may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health/appearance of your face.

To avoid these complications, in most cases, Dr.Nubia Diaz will discuss alternatives to extractions as well replacement of the extracted tooth/teeth.

 The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction Dr. Diaz will numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the dental extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.

You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.

After a tooth is extracted, Dr. Diaz may insert a powdered bone graft into the site where the extracted tooth was (this will be discussed with you prior to extraction). Dr. Diaz uses Mineross by Biohorizons in dental extraction sites to encourage bone regrowth.

If you choose to not use a bone graft material in the empty socket after extraction, Dr.Nubia Diaz will suture/stitch the extraction site if needed and review home care instructions with you.

After Extraction Home Care

Bleeding

Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this.

Blood clots that form in the empty socket.

This is an important part of the healing process and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot. Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction. Avoid use of a straw, smoking or hot liquids.

Swelling

If swelling occurs you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.

Pain and Medications

If you experience pain you may use non-prescription pain relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Eating

For most extractions make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours.

Brushing and Cleaning

After the extraction avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for three days. After that you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.

Dry Socket

Dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth has been extracted or the clot has been dislodged, and the healing is significantly delayed.

Following the post extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain, which doesn’t appear until three or four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath and the extraction site appears dry.

There are many different reasons for performing dental extractions. The most frequent reason for tooth extraction is tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent repair. Other indications include impacted or troublesome wisdom teeth, as well as the need to provide room for orthodontic treatment in specific circumstances.

When Tooth Extraction is Necessary: Common Reasons

Most of the time, we attempt to keep the tooth by performing additional operations rather than extracting it. The best course of action, though, may be to pull the tooth if the damage is too great.

Common reasons for tooth extraction include:

• Crowded teeth, particularly when extraction is necessary to create space for proper alignment of other teeth;
• Infection risk caused by gum disease;
• Severe tooth decay that severely damages the pulp and nerves;
• Cracked roots that cannot be repaired.

What to expect during tooth extraction?

We administer a general anesthetic to put you to sleep during the procedure or use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. Occasionally, we may need to break an impacted tooth into smaller pieces to minimize damage to the surrounding tissue before extraction. After we remove the tooth, we use stitches to seal the socket.

What you should tell your Dentist before tooth extraction procedure?

It's crucial to let your dentist know about any underlying medical issues or current prescription medications before having a tooth extracted. This includes any disorders affecting your immune system, liver, heart, or other pertinent organs. To ensure the surgery is successful, your dentist needs to understand your medical history.

Commonly asked question about tooth extractions

Can I go back to work after having an extraction?

It is advised that you take the day off following your extraction so that you can relax and heal. It could be challenging to work if there is swelling or you have trouble speaking. For 1-3 days following surgery, you should refrain from heavy lifting, bending over, and exercising.

Managing Pain After Tooth Extraction

For most patients, over-the-counter painkillers are sufficient. If you have a special case or have certain allergies, your dentist may prescribe medication. It is advised to take pain medication as soon as possible following the extraction, while you are still numbed, to support you while the local anaesthetic wears off. Avoid aspirin since it can thin the blood and stop blood from clotting.

How long will the discomfort persist following tooth removal?

Depending on the procedure and how quickly you heal, the amount of discomfort you experience may vary. After a few days, the pain should start to go away. If you find that your pain and discomfort increase after one week, you may be experiencing a dry socket and should immediately contact your dentist.

What can I eat or drink after tooth extraction?

It's best to stick to a liquid and soft food diet immediately after the tooth extraction procedure to ensure comfort. Most patients continue doing this for a few days following their therapy until the pain stops. Avoid using straws since the sucking motion can strain your stitches and result in fresh bleeding.

Stonebrook Dental is experienced in performing tooth extractions and we try to make the procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible.