Modern dentistry is never painful, even tooth extractions. The right dentist will always do everything they can to save your natural teeth. Occasionally, it may be better or necessary to remove one. With sedation options, local anesthesia and a gentle hand, a tooth extraction at our Cincinnati dental office can be a simple procedure that gets you back to exceptional oral health.
The most common reason for tooth extractions is the improper growth of wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or are otherwise not growing in properly, they may need to be removed to ensure that your other teeth remain healthy. However, not everyone needs their wisdom teeth to be removed, so it’s best to consult with your dentist to find out if your wisdom teeth are or will be a problem.
Tooth extractions may also be necessary if you have an extremely severe cavity, severe damage from oral trauma, or an infected tooth that cannot be saved with root canal therapy. In most cases, it is possible to save your tooth with a dental crown or root canal therapy, but sometimes extraction may be your only option.Some patients with severe gum disease may require tooth extractions. In its most severe stages, periodontal disease causes teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Your doctor may want to extract these teeth to prepare you for a strong and long-lasting tooth replacement option. Extractions are required to prepare patients for these treatments, including the placement of dental implants or dentures.
You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during or immediately after your extraction due to the numbing and sedation used during the procedure. However, you will start to experience symptoms including pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, and bleeding within a few hours following your extraction. These symptoms usually peak within the first 2-3 days, and then start to fade as you heal. You will typically need to eat a diet of mostly soft foods for about 5-7 days after your treatment, so plan accordingly.
Overall, it will take about 1-2 weeks for your extraction site to heal completely. Following the recovery instructions provided to you by your dentist will enhance your healing progress. If you are still feeling a lot of pain and discomfort 1-2 weeks after your extraction, this is not normal. Contact your dentist for a follow-up appointment.
Usually. Tooth extractions that are required to remove impacted wisdom teeth, or damaged or decayed teeth, are typically covered by insurance. However, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider and work with them to fully understand your coverage and benefits.
