Quick and Painless Tooth Extractions
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we strive to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. However, in severe cases, tooth extraction may be necessary for your oral health.
Many patients avoid treatment for fear of pain, but we’ll take all precautionary measures to ensure your comfort. Dr. Andrew Howard is dedicated to performing safe and painless tooth extractions. We’ll get your oral health back on track in as little as one visit to our dental office in Loveland, CO.
When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?
In some cases, it’s necessary to remove a tooth to preserve your oral health. Dr. Howard may recommend extraction for patients suffering from:
- Advanced Gum Disease: Periodontal disease may lead to teeth deteriorating and falling out. Extraction is commonly performed on teeth affected by this disease.
- Decayed or Damaged Teeth: If damage or decay extends to the tooth’s root, removal may be necessary to prevent infection.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth can cause pain or discomfort if they fail to erupt from your gums. Removing them will eliminate the risk of infection.
- Overcrowded Teeth: If your teeth are overcrowded, you may likely experience alignment issues. Tooth extraction can help correct alignment.
Types of Extractions
Simple Extraction
General or simple extractions involve the removal of teeth that have emerged from the gums. These teeth are visible above the gum line, so the procedure has a relatively quick healing time of 48 to 72 hours.
Dr. Howard will use a local anesthetic to numb the affected tooth and surrounding area before gently removing the tooth. Then, he’ll apply stitches and gauze to begin the healing process.
Surgical Extraction
Surgical extractions are reserved for teeth that have partially or haven’t yet breached the gums. This procedure tends to be more complex and has a longer healing time of at least 72 hours.
Using a local anesthetic, Dr. Howard will numb the area to eliminate any pain you may feel. He’ll make a small incision to access and remove the impacted tooth. Then, he’ll apply stitches and gauze to ensure proper healing.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
You may need a wisdom tooth extraction if your third set of molars have become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth are susceptible to decay, recurring infections, and gum disease. Extraction is strongly recommended for young adults to prevent future problems and ensure optimal healing.
Wisdom tooth extractions are typically performed under dental sedation. Dr. Howard will provide you with detailed instructions including a healing timeline at your initial consultation.
Supplemental Procedures
Dental Implants
Dental implants are long-term tooth replacements that are surgically placed in the jawbone. Dr. Howard may recommend an implant after extraction, though you’ll have to wait three to six months after the procedure to have your dental implants placed.
Implants are composed of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This makes dental implants susceptible to decay and capable of lasting a lifetime. They’re the most natural-looking and long-lasting tooth replacement option available.
Bone and Gum Grafting
A bone graft is recommended for patients who have an insufficient amount of natural tooth to support the implant.
This procedure requires a donor graft or transplant of your bone to restore the ideal size and shape of your jawbone. You’ll need to wait four months for your bone graft to heal before implant placement.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
It’s essential to follow any aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Howard to ensure proper healing. To avoid complications, it’s typically recommended that patients:
- Avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for 24 hours
- Take pain medications as prescribed
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and sucking on straws for 72 hours
- Avoid brushing and flossing close to the extraction site
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling
- Bite on a gauze pad to stop bleeding, replacing it every 30 minutes or as needed
You should be able to resume your daily activities after several days following your procedure. If bleeding, severe pain, or swelling persists after three days, contact our Loveland office right away at (970) 669-3918 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Howard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients are typically cleared to eat after a few hours following the extraction. To ensure proper healing, stick to soft or liquid foods for at least 24 hours.
Dr. Howard recommends the following foods and beverages during this period:
- Juices and smoothies
- Yogurt and pudding
- Mashed potatoes
- Blended soups and broth
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
Hot, crunchy, or hard foods may irritate the extraction site and lead to pain and further complications. If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us at (970) 669-3918.
Dr. Howard will use a local anesthetic to eliminate any pain and ensure you feel at ease throughout your procedure. He’ll discuss your sedation dentistry options at your initial consultation.
You may experience some discomfort after the numbness fades, but we’ll prescribe you pain medications to help you recover.
An extraction can be completed in just one visit to our Loveland dental office. However, this depends on your personalized treatment plan, such as how many teeth you need to be extracted and what type of extractions you require. Dr. Howard will provide you with an accurate treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
Schedule Your Appointment With Dr. Howard
In some cases, removing a tooth is essential for your oral health, and ignoring painful symptoms may lead to nasty infections. Dr. Howard will work with you to ensure your experience is as painless and stress-free as possible.
To schedule an appointment, contact our Loveland dental office at (970) 669-3918. You can also fill out an online contact form and a team member will get back to you shortly. We look forward to helping get your oral health back on track!
