Extractions

Extractions

Our Anderson Dental Professionals team is skilled in the art of wisdom teeth removal, performing the procedure efficiently and safely so that patients don’t have to worry about health problems down the road. The procedure is straightforward and has a fairly quick recovery time so that you can get right back into your routine with a happy and healthy smile.

When are Extractions Necessary?

Although we do everything in our power to proactively keep your smile healthy, sometimes circumstances require that a tooth be removed. When wisdom teeth come in at angle or emerge partially, they can cause pain and increase the risk of infection. Some patients simply don’t have room for wisdom teeth and require their removal to keep other permanent teeth from shifting.

Easy Professional Extraction Process

When it’s time for an extraction, our dental professionals ensure that your comfort comes first. We’ll thoroughly examine the affected tooth or teeth, taking x-rays of the area to understand the shape, position, and state of the surrounding bone. Then, we’ll give you a local or general anesthetic depending on the dentist’s judgment to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during removal.

The gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut open and the tooth is loosened. The dentist will grip the tooth, wiggling it back and forth until it can be lifted out of the gums. In some cases, the tooth may have to be broken up into pieces before being removed. Depending on the incision and extraction site, sutures may be needed to close the area. Soluble sutures are the best option, which will dissolve on their own.

‍Recovery Process

After the wisdom teeth have been removed, you’ll receive all of the proper tools to keep pain at a minimum and speed up your healing time. You’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure and will need time to rest, ensuring that you prop your head up on a pillow while lying down. Gauze will be applied after surgery, and you’ll need to change it periodically as bleeding is common. If your gums bleed for more than 24 hours after the surgery, you’ll need to call your dentist.

We’ll give you pain medication to take as directed and an ice pack can also be used to help soothe the pain. We may also provide a cleaning solution for the impacted area.

You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:

• Gelatin
• Pudding
• Yogurt
• Mashed Potatoes
• Ice Cream
• Thin Soups
• …and other food you can eat without chewing

You should avoid drinking out of a straw and smoking after the surgery.

If you have wisdom teeth that are causing pain or simply want to find out if removal is necessary for you, call our Crown Point office today. We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and make sure you’re on track for optimal well-being.