TOOTH EXTRACTIONS IN APEX

A tooth extraction may be recommended by Sarah S. Barker, DDS, when a tooth is unhealthy and need to be removed, or when it is crowding your other teeth and could damage them, such as when your wisdom teeth grow in.

There are a few different reasons you might need a tooth extraction, such as serious tooth infections, problems with wisdom teeth eruption, periodontal disease, or oral trauma. Typically, root canal therapy is the best option to save an infected tooth. But if root canal therapy fails, or the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction will be recommended.

Most people do not have enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth when they emerge in the late teens and early twenties. This can cause issues like tooth impaction and infection, so wisdom teeth are usually extracted.

The process of tooth extraction is very simple. Your tooth and the surrounding gum will be numbed to make the process completely painless. Then, Dr. Barker will loosen your tooth in the socket. Next, your tooth will be gently removed and the area will be closed with stitches.

If your wisdom teeth are growing in, or you suspect that you may need a tooth extraction for any other reason, contact Cardinal Family Dentistry right away for a consultation. We’re located conveniently in near Apex, Cary, New Hill, and Holly Springs. Stop by our office at 1481 Chapel Ridge Road, Apex, NC 27502, or call the team today at (919) 589-5001 to schedule an appointment.

After the extraction, we’ll walk you through how best to care for the extraction site and how to avoid the dreaded dry-socket. For 3-4 days after the procedure, you’ll want to get plenty of rest, and avoid smoking, drinking with a straw, spitting, eating spicy or hot foods, and taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medications. Of course you should consult with your doctor about any prescriptions you may be taking, and follow their advice accordingly.  All of this is to allow for the formation and maintenance of a blood clot at the site of the extraction, which is essential to the healing process.

A few days after the extraction, you should be feeling less discomfort, and you can get back to normal physical activity, though sticking to soft foods is still advised. You’ll also be able to resume your brushing and flossing routine, while taking care to avoid the extraction site for at least an additional week. Lightly rinsing with warm salt water is recommended to keep the socket clean and free of debris. Using ice-packs and over-the-counter NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen (Advil and Aleve, respectively), are usually effective at relieving pain and inflammation while still maintaining the integrity of the blood clot.

Depending on the type of tooth that is extracted, you might experience a slightly different timeline for the healing process, but the aftercare is largely the same. Your doctor will provide you with instructions for your unique situation to optimize your recovery.

When a tooth is extracted, it leaves behind a space called a socket. In that socket, a blood-clot forms to protect the bone and nerves underneath from exposure to air, fluids, and food particles, helping to prevent infection. However, if the clot becomes dislodged early, or doesn’t form at all, it can lead to a painful infection called dry-socket. Fortunately, it is easily treatable, though it will extend the length of recovery.
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If your pain isn’t getting better, or even gets worse after 2-3 days, it’s time to call Dr. Barker and the Cardinal Family Dentistry team at (919) 589-5001. We’ll help you figure out if you’re experiencing dry-socket, and if necessary, set up an appointment to clean the extraction site and provide you with medication to eliminate the infection and get you back to your life!

If your wisdom teeth are bothering you, you’re experiencing dental pain, or you suspect that you may need a tooth extraction for another reason, contact Cardinal Family Dentistry right away for a consultation. We’re conveniently located close to Apex, Cary, New Hill, and Holly Springs. Stop by our office at 1481 Chapel Ridge Road, Apex, NC 27502, or give us a call today at (919) 589-5001 to schedule an appointment.