At the office of Glenwood Dental Care, we aim to preserve your permanent teeth for as long as possible. However, an extraction may be the only possible course of dental treatment in some cases. Teeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons such as severe decay, trauma, impaction, damage, crowding, or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The Tooth Extraction Process
The first step in a tooth extraction is to take an X-ray of the tooth to assess the condition of the jawbone around it and the position of the roots. This will help us determine the best strategy to extract it. Local anesthesia is given to numb the extraction site and help alleviate any pain during the treatment. The tooth is then carefully pulled out from its socket. Once the tooth is out, the extraction site is cleaned and flushed. Bone grafts may be placed in the jawbone surrounding the tooth after extracting if the patient is considering getting a dental implant and does not have enough bone density to support it. A gauze pad is placed over the area to control bleeding.
It is common to experience some mild to moderate post-procedural discomfort and swelling. Stick to eating soft, cold foods for a few days after surgery and use an ice pack over the outer cheek to control swelling. Within a few days, everything should be back to normal.
For more information about tooth extraction procedures, please call our office at 630-545-1116 to schedule a consultation with one of our experts. We are located at 1155 N. Main St, Suite A Glendale Heights, IL 60139.