Professional Dentists in Lakewood, OH
Lakewood, Ohio
Permanent teeth are meant to last as long as a person lives.
However, tooth extraction can sometimes be necessary when there is irreversible damage that cannot be repaired by restorative dental treatments like crowns or fillings. Tooth extraction is also an option for wisdom teeth and tooth decay, especially when you are at risk of infection or have a crowded mouth in need of orthodontic treatment.
While this is a common dental procedure, many patients still fear getting their teeth pulled out. Here’s what to expect before and after to reduce anxiety:
Before the Extraction
Your dentist in Lakewood, OH, will need to take a dental X-ray to examine the affected tooth and its surrounding bone to understand the most optimal way to remove it without causing damage. This will show the shape, length, extent, and exact position of the tooth.
Both your dental and medical history will also be reviewed by your dentist, including your current supplements and medications (including maintenance medication), to assess your overall health properly. Though the procedure itself is proven to be safe, there are still risks of infection when the bacteria slips into the bloodstream. There are also certain conditions that may require more precautionary steps, such as taking prescribed antibiotics before and after the extraction. To ensure your well-being, inform your dentist if you have any of the following conditions:
-
Heart conditions (angina, history of stroke,
history of heart attack, had bypass surgery, etc) - Liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis)
- Bleeding disorders
- Weakened immune system
- Necessary hip replacements or artificial joints
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Renal disease
- Epilepsy
During the Extraction
Following the pre-extraction process, your dentist will determine if the extraction needed is simple or surgical. Our dentists in Lakewood, OH, are trained to do so.
For simple extraction, only local anesthetic is needed. The dentist will numb the gum tissue and affected tooth to loosen it by using an elevator and dental forceps.
For a more complex case, the dentist may opt for a surgical extraction. This usually happens when the tooth has broken off the gum line or is not yet fully exposed. Due to the complexity, the dentist or oral surgeon will need to administer the anesthetic intravenously, ranging from conscious sedation to general anesthesia. Once the sedative has taken effect, the dentist will proceed with a small incision in your gum to remove the affected tooth.
After the Extraction
Immediately after the tooth has been pulled out, your dentist will ask you to bite on a sterile gauze and keep it in place for over half an hour to reduce bleeding. Once soaked, it will be replaced.
There will be discomfort and pain following the procedure. To cope with this, do the following for the next 24 hours:
- Take a prescribed pain killer by your dentist.
- Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling (10 minutes at a time).
- Relax, and do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Do not drink hot liquids
- Do not use straws.
- Do not spit forcefully to avoid clot dislodging.
- Do not smoke.
- Eat only soft foods, such as soup and yogurt.
- Avoid lying flat, as it may cause prolonged bleeding
- When brushing your teeth, avoid the extraction site to prevent infection.
Pain is expected once the anesthetic wears off. The healing period takes about few days to two weeks. However, if you experience prolonged pain, bleeding, swelling, nausea, vomiting, discharge, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a fever, call your Lakewood, OH dentist immediately. Fever and chills are signs of infection and should be given prompt attention.
Infection is of great concern, so following the dentist’s instructions post-procedure is a must. Comply with the scheduled follow-up as recommended. Because missing teeth can affect your bite and make it difficult to chew, you may opt to discuss with your dentist whether you would need an implant, bridge, or denture.
Advanced Dental Group
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We at Advanced Dental Group are dedicated to connecting everyone to the best and most qualified dentists in their immediate area. We value nothing more than your dental well-being, so we always perform thorough background checks and routine quality control on each of our partnered dentists to ensure that we only promote the finest professionals in the field. For total protection, maintenance, and dental revitalization, contact us today. We don’t only cater to the City of Lakewood, Ohio, but all cities listed below.
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