When a tooth has been damaged or decayed beyond repair, it may be necessary to have it extracted to prevent further infection or damage. Removing the tooth prevents further decay and further damage to surrounding teeth. While having a tooth extracted isn’t ideal, it’s much better to deal with a tooth extraction now to avoid dealing with more complicated procedures in the future.

At Allouez Family Dental, we will do everything in our power to help you feel at ease and relaxed during your extraction. 

After the extraction, you may experience slight bleeding around the affected area. You should avoid brushing the area where the tooth was extracted from and avoid eating or drinking hot foods for a few days following the extraction. After an extraction, patients typically begin to heal within three to five days, while complete healing usually takes a week.

Why Might I Need an Extraction?

Trauma

Injuries to the mouth can cause a tooth to be pushed partially out of the socket or dislodged entirely from the socket. If this occurs, the tooth will need to be stabilized by a dentist to prevent further damage. If the damage is too extensive, the tooth may have to be extracted.

Decay

When decay reaches the tooth's root, it can cause pain, infection, and damage to the surrounding tissue. To preserve the health of the jaw and the rest of the teeth, the dentist may extract the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth.

Orthodontic Treatment

Some patients who require orthodontic treatment may require tooth extraction to create space in the arch to shift teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Sometimes, wisdom teeth are infected or cause pain when they erupt and need to be removed to prevent crowding of other teeth and severe discomfort in the mouth. 

The Procedure for Extractions

An extraction is an oral surgery performed by a dentist to pull a tooth out of its socket. Depending on the complexity of the patient’s case, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. 

The patient will be given local anesthesia so they do not feel any pain during the procedure. Once the patient is numbed, the dentist will use an elevator tool to loosen the connection between the bone and tooth. They will then utilize forceps to remove the tooth from the socket. 

Sometimes, the dentist may break the tooth into pieces to remove it more easily. After tooth extraction, the patient needs to rest for a day or two and use pain reliever medication for discomfort.

Ask our oral surgeon for more information about your dental health options today! For the best dental care customized to your needs, visit Allouez Family Dental at 2805 Libal Street, Suite C, Green Bay, WI 54301, or call (920) 339-8980.