Tooth Extractions

We always look for ways to save a tooth first, with a filling, crown or root canal, and when removal is the best option, we make the visit as comfortable as possible and plan what comes next. Extractions are part of our oral surgery care.

Why a tooth may need to come out

• A baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out, and it must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth
• A tooth has so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk
• A tooth is fractured below the gum line and cannot be restored
• Advanced gum disease has loosened a tooth
• Crowding before orthodontic treatment
• A wisdom tooth is impacted or causing problems

Before your extraction

We review your health history and medications, take an X-ray to see the roots and surrounding bone, and talk through the plan. Tell us if you take blood thinners, have a heart condition or joint replacement, or have had problems with anesthesia, so we can plan safely.

What to expect

When it is determined that a tooth needs to be removed, your dentist may extract it during a regular checkup or may request another visit. The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a “tooth socket,” and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. To extract a tooth, your dentist expands the socket and separates the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While the procedure is typically very quick, it is important to share any concerns or preferences for sedation with your doctor.

A simple extraction removes a tooth that is fully visible above the gums. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is broken at the gum line or has not fully come in; a small opening in the gum gives access to the tooth.

After your extraction

Your dentist will give you instructions for a comfortable recovery. In general:

• Bite gently on gauze for the first hour to control bleeding
• Rest for the day and keep your head slightly raised
• Use a cold pack on your cheek to reduce swelling
• Avoid drinking through a straw, smoking, spitting or rinsing hard for the first day, so the blood clot can form and protect the socket
• Eat soft foods and chew on the other side for a few days
• After the first day, rinse gently with warm salt water

Most people are back to their routine within two or three days, while the bone underneath continues to heal over the following weeks. Call us if you have heavy bleeding, a fever, swelling that gets worse after the third day, or pain that medication does not control.

Replacing the tooth

Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend replacing the extracted tooth with a bridge or a dental implant; sometimes a bone graft is placed at the time of the extraction to keep the site ready for an implant. Our tooth replacement page compares the options, and our financial information page covers payment. Request an appointment to talk with Dr. Laine or Dr. Scott.