Tooth Extraction Flower Mound, TX

Tooth Extractions in Flower Mound, TX

If you believe you need a tooth extraction, we’ll start with a consultation. This involves a thorough oral examination and discussing your symptoms, medical history, and health goals. We may use imaging services to see if you have impacted teeth or determine if you ever have severely broken or decayed teeth. We need to know the exact circumstances of your unique case to determine the best course of action.

Simple Tooth Extractions

A simple tooth extraction is used for teeth that have erupted and are visible in the mouth. We numb the area where we’ll work to ensure you’re comfortable for the entire process. At most, you’ll just feel some pressure as we remove the tooth. Our office also has sedation options to guarantee you’ll be relaxed enough for the entire procedure. If you have anxiety, this is a good choice to ensure a smooth appointment.

We use an elevator, a tool that rocks the tooth back and forth to loosen it in the socket. Once loose enough, we use forceps to grip the tooth and remove it from the socket. If complications arise with the tooth, we may have to break it into pieces to ensure we can remove it from the mouth. After a simple extraction, you only need a day or two to fully recover and return to your normal daily activities.

Complex Tooth Extractions

You likely need a complex tooth extraction if we cannot remove the tooth with normal extraction methods. This occurs in cases where the tooth is impacted under the surface or severely decayed or broken. With complex extractions, we numb the area and administer sedation to keep you comfortable. We make an incision in the gums to access the tooth. Sometimes, we’ll need to cut the tooth into pieces to ensure we can remove it properly.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common complex tooth extraction procedure. This third set of molars develops in the late teens or early twenties. Most of the time, our mouths don’t have enough room for them. They can cause pain and even lead to infection or abscess if they’re impacted. If they do erupt, they often cause problems with your smile. They crowd the teeth, causing them to shift and move out of alignment.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Though it’s a fairly simple procedure, you must take care of the extraction site to ensure it heals properly. Without proper care, a painful condition called dry socket can develop.

The Day of the Extraction

When we extract the tooth, we’ll immediately provide gauze for you to bite down on at the extraction site. This stops the bleeding and assists with forming a clot. You’ll need to bite down on that gauze for around 30 minutes to stop the bleeding adequately. We’ll send you home with extra gauze in case you need it. When you remove your gauze, check to see if the site is still bleeding. If it is, use a new piece of gauze and continue to bite down until the bleeding stops.

It’s normal to experience some soreness and swelling around the extraction site. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to lessen the pain. Ibuprofen helps with inflammation, so it can help with swelling, too. At your discretion, a cold compress also helps keep the swelling down. Use the compress for 15 minutes, taking at least a 15-minute break between each icing session. If you ever experience severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, call our office immediately.

The Days Following Extraction

After the first 24 hours, you can use a warm saltwater rinse to clean the extraction site and assist the healing process. Gently swish the water around your mouth, avoiding any aggressive movements. While you should still brush your teeth after an extraction, avoid the extraction site altogether. You don’t want to disturb the blood clot as you heal.

In the days after your extraction, you should stick to a soft diet. Foods like soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt are all good options. Don’t chew or try to process food on the side of the extraction site. Try to chew everything on the opposite side. Don’t eat or drink anything overly hot or cold, which can irritate the extraction site. You can start introducing more solid foods as the days go by, and you start to feel better.

Avoid using tobacco products for at least 72 hours after the extraction. The nicotine in them restricts blood vessels, while the extraction site needs proper blood flow to form a clot and heal. When drinking, you shouldn’t use a straw until the site is completely healed. The suction from it is likely to disrupt the blood clot.

Tooth Extraction FAQs

Tooth extraction is sometimes the best choice to preserve oral health. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Why might I need a tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction may be necessary for various reasons, including severe tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma that has damaged the tooth beyond repair. In some cases, teeth may need to be removed to make room for orthodontic treatment, such as braces. Impacted wisdom teeth, which do not have enough space to emerge properly, are another common reason for extraction. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation and recommend extraction only if it’s the best option for your oral health.

What should I expect during a tooth extraction procedure?

Before the extraction, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. For simple extractions, the dentist will loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator and then remove it with forceps. For more complex cases, such as impacted teeth, a surgical extraction may be necessary, which involves making an incision in the gum to remove the tooth. You may feel pressure but should not experience pain during the procedure.

How long is the recovery time after a tooth extraction?

Recovery time after a tooth extraction typically ranges from a few days to a week, depending on the complexity of the extraction and your overall health. The initial healing phase usually takes about 24 to 48 hours, during which you may experience some swelling and discomfort. It’s important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to promote healing, such as resting, avoiding strenuous activities, and eating soft foods. Full healing of the extraction site can take several weeks.

How should I care for my mouth after a tooth extraction?

After a tooth extraction, it’s important to care for your mouth properly to ensure a smooth recovery. Here are some aftercare tips:

• Bite Gently on Gauze: Bite down on the gauze pad placed by your dentist to help stop bleeding and promote clot formation. Change the gauze as needed.
• Avoid Rinsing: Don’t rinse your mouth vigorously for the first 24 hours to avoid dislodging the blood clot.
• Apply Ice Packs: Use ice packs on the outside of your face to reduce swelling.
• Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes, and avoid chewing near the extraction site.
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of complications like dry socket.

What are the risks and complications associated with tooth extraction?

While tooth extraction is generally safe, there are some risks and potential complications to be aware of:

• Dry Socket: This occurs when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves prematurely, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. It can cause severe pain and delay healing.
• Infection: Although rare, infection can occur if bacteria enter the extraction site. Signs of infection include increased pain, swelling, redness, and discharge.
• Bleeding: Prolonged bleeding is uncommon but can happen if the blood clot is disturbed. Follow your dentist’s instructions on controlling bleeding.
• Nerve Injury: In rare cases, nerve damage can occur, leading to numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or chin. This is more likely with lower wisdom tooth extractions.

Your dentist will discuss these risks with you before the procedure and provide instructions on how to minimize complications.

When should I contact my dentist after a tooth extraction?

It’s important to monitor your recovery and contact your dentist if you experience any of the following:

• Severe Pain: While some discomfort is normal, severe pain that doesn’t improve or worsens may indicate a problem, such as dry socket.
• Prolonged Bleeding: If bleeding continues for more than 24 hours despite following aftercare instructions, contact your dentist.
• Signs of Infection: Symptoms like increased swelling, redness, fever, or foul-tasting discharge from the extraction site may indicate an infection.
• Numbness or Tingling: If you experience prolonged numbness or tingling in your lips, tongue, or chin, it could be a sign of nerve injury.

Schedule An Appointment

Tooth extractions can be necessary to preserve oral health. Call our office or schedule a consultation online to determine whether you need one.