We always try to save a tooth when we can. When a tooth cannot be saved, a gentle, well-planned extraction protects your comfort and your other teeth.
Why a tooth may need to come out
- Decay or damage too extensive to repair
- A fractured tooth below the gum line
- Advanced gum disease and loose teeth
- Infection that cannot be treated another way
- Crowding, or teeth in the way of orthodontic treatment
- Problem wisdom teeth
What to expect
We numb the area so you feel pressure but not pain. Afterward, we give you written aftercare instructions and talk through options to replace the tooth, such as an implant, bridge or partial denture.
Aftercare basics
- Bite on the gauze for the time we advise to help a clot form
- Avoid rinsing, spitting, using a straw and smoking for the first day, since these can dislodge the clot
- Use a cold pack on the cheek and stick to soft foods for a few days
- Take pain relief as directed
- Call us if bleeding does not stop, if pain gets worse after two or three days (it may be a dry socket), or if you have fever or swelling