Tooth Extraction/Wisdom Tooth Removal
While we strive to help our patients keep all their natural teeth, there often comes a time when a tooth needs to be removed. Extractions are done with care and compassion at Clearwater Dentistry. We understand how upsetting it can be to have a tooth removed. It can affect your appearance and your ability to form words correctly. Extractions are a last resort when it comes to dental care at Clearwater Dentistry; however, when removal is the only option, we handle the procedure gently. Conditions That May Require a Tooth Extraction
If you have head and neck injuries, it is essential to seek immediate medical treatment. We can address your dental concerns once any life-threatening injuries have been ruled out.
In many cases, we can plan for tooth replacement treatment before beginning your extraction so that we have a plan in place to restore your smile. We will not need to replace missing teeth in cases of overcrowding or wisdom tooth extractions.
Common conditions requiring dental extraction:
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Overcrowding
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Wisdom teeth
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Non-restorable fractures
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Advanced periodontal disease
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Unsuccessful root canal therapy
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A tooth has broken at the gum line
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Trauma due to an accident
Personalized Dental Treatment Options
Our dentists will explain all your options and help you make a confident decision regarding your oral health.
We understand that many of our patients have concerns about dental extractions. Will it hurt? What will happen to my oral health? How will it affect the appearance of my smile?
We'll take the time to ensure we address all these concerns and answer your questions.
Your Dental Extraction Procedure
We make patient comfort a top priority. Our dentist will always use appropriate anesthetic levels and wait for it to take effect before beginning. Our team communicates well and will be here to answer your questions. Together, we will design a solution that addresses each of your concerns.
We strive to provide efficient, effective, and successful dental extractions so that you can get on the road to recovery quickly.
Surgical extractions involve teeth that have not fully erupted from the gums. This often occurs when there is insufficient space for the tooth or it is growing in at an angle. This condition, known as impaction, often causes pain and jaw discomfort. Removing your teeth can dramatically improve your comfort and protect your remaining teeth.
Simple extractions involve teeth that have erupted fully from the gums. In the case of simple extractions, we can see the crown of the tooth before we begin. They usually do not require stitches during the healing process.
Properly caring for your surgical site is critical:
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Gently clean the area.
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Avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking through a straw.
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Avoid chewing on the area during the healing process.
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Follow aftercare instructions provided by your dentist.
Contact us to schedule an evaluation to get important answers regarding your oral health and smile.
We look forward to welcoming you to our dental practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the priorities in our dental office is to provide comfortable, gentle dentistry for our patients. Dental extraction treatment is no different. Before we begin, we will discuss your history with dental care. If you have difficulty getting numb, let us know. We can take some extra time anesthetizing your tooth to make sure you have a comfortable experience. Gentle care is important to us and since each patient is different, we will discuss any concerns you may have before we even begin.
It is normal to have some discomfort and swelling following a dental extraction. Typically, this can be addressed with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen. We will talk to you about dosing recommendations and what to expect as you recover. Fortunately, the human mouth heals fairly quickly, as long as you avoid certain behaviors such as smoking and drinking through a straw following treatment.
You will likely feel a dramatic improvement in a couple of days and will feel completely healed within a week or two. We will schedule a follow-up exam to monitor your healing and make sure that everything is on track. We will be here with you every step of the way.
We also offer a number of options for replacing missing teeth, if necessary. Contact us for an appointment and we will go over everything with you, so you feel comfortable with your dental treatment.
Excluding nitrous oxide, most forms of sedation dentistry will leave you drowsy and groggy for several hours after your procedure. For this reason, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. We recommend that you do not return to work until the next day.
You can expect discomfort for the next two weeks as the extraction site is clotting but it takes up to 4-6 months for the bone to fill the extraction site and to fully stabilize and heal. At that time, you have the option to begin teeth replacement treatment (for example, permanent denture treatment or implant placement).
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Joshua Wyatt
Smile Strategist
Dr. Wyatt enjoys all aspects of dentistry. He decided to become a dentist in 5th grade. He would grow more and more interested in dentistry each time he went to get his teeth cleaned. He is fortunate to know what he wanted to be when he grew up from a very young age.
After attending the University of Alabama for his undergraduate studies, he received his D.M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys exercising in his spare time. His favorite part of ...