Tooth Extractions

Extraction Treatments Offered:

1. Wisdom Teeth Extractions
2. Full-Mouth Extractions and Immediate Placement of Dentures
3. Surgical Extraction of badly broken or decayed teeth.
4. Hard Tissue Crown Lengthening Surgery
5. Socket Preservation
6. Incision and Drainage of an Abscess
7.  Bone Grafts
8. Pre-Prosthetic Surgeries (Tori removal)

Do I need a Tooth Extraction?

You and Dr. DiNapoli 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.

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

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom Teeth can often cause problems (as shown in the picture to the right) and should therefore be extracted. The best time to do so is when the patient is around 18 years old as the bone is still spongy and the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully developed yet.

Wisdom teeth can push the adjacent teeth and cause possible crowding, they can have infection and cysts form around them and they can cause decay on adjacent teeth.

The Extraction Process

At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jaw bone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.

During the extraction process, you will feel some pressure. This is from the process of loosening the tooth before removing it. This is the right way of doing it. You feel the pressure without pain.

Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t be expanded enough to loosen the tooth. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment.

If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.

After the blood clot forms, it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours.

These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

For the next 24 hours, only have Soft and Cold Food such as Ice Cream, Apple Sauce, Pudding, and Yogurt. You can have Chicken Broth at room temperature.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum.

Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use pain medication as directed. Call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

After a few days, you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.