Dr. Kush Patel and Dr. Krutav Patel perform tooth extractions at Fullerton Craft Smiles when deemed necessary for long term dental health. Tooth extractions are always considered the option of last resort- recommended only when a root canal is not sufficient due to severe damage or infection.
Drs. Patel and Patel are both highly trained with experience in general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We will work with you to determine the best tooth replacement solution for a lasting, functional smile.
Tooth Extractions in Fullerton, CA
If you believe you need a tooth extraction, we’ll start with a consultation. This involves a thorough oral examination and discussing your symptoms, medical history, and health goals. We may use imaging services to see if you have impacted teeth or determine if you ever have severely broken or decayed teeth. We need to know the exact circumstances of your unique case to determine the best course of action.
Simple Tooth Extractions
A simple tooth extraction is used for teeth that have erupted and are visible in the mouth. We numb the area where we’ll work to ensure you’re comfortable for the entire process. At most, you’ll just feel some pressure as we remove the tooth. Our office also has sedation options to guarantee you’ll be relaxed enough for the entire procedure. If you have anxiety, this is a good choice to ensure a smooth appointment.
We use an elevator, a tool that rocks the tooth back and forth to loosen it in the socket. Once loose enough, we use forceps to grip the tooth and remove it from the socket. If complications arise with the tooth, we may have to break it into pieces to ensure we can remove it from the mouth. After a simple extraction, you only need a day or two to fully recover and return to your normal daily activities.
Complex Tooth Extractions
You likely need a complex tooth extraction if we cannot remove the tooth with normal extraction methods. This occurs in cases where the tooth is impacted under the surface or severely decayed or broken. With complex extractions, we numb the area and administer sedation to keep you comfortable. We make an incision in the gums to access the tooth. Sometimes, we’ll need to cut the tooth into pieces to ensure we can remove it properly.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common complex tooth extraction procedure. This third set of molars develops in the late teens or early twenties. Most of the time, our mouths don’t have enough room for them. They can cause pain and even lead to infection or abscess if they’re impacted. If they do erupt, they often cause problems with your smile. They crowd the teeth, causing them to shift and move out of alignment.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Though it’s a fairly simple procedure, you must take care of the extraction site to ensure it heals properly. Without proper care, a painful condition called dry socket can develop.
The Day of the Extraction
When we extract the tooth, we’ll immediately provide gauze for you to bite down on at the extraction site. This stops the bleeding and assists with forming a clot. You’ll need to bite down on that gauze for around 30 minutes to stop the bleeding adequately. We’ll send you home with extra gauze in case you need it. When you remove your gauze, check to see if the site is still bleeding. If it is, use a new piece of gauze and continue to bite down until the bleeding stops.
It’s normal to experience some soreness and swelling around the extraction site. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to lessen the pain. Ibuprofen helps with inflammation, so it can help with swelling, too. At your discretion, a cold compress also helps keep the swelling down. Use the compress for 15 minutes, taking at least a 15-minute break between each icing session. If you ever experience severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, call our office immediately.
The Days Following Extraction
After the first 24 hours, you can use a warm saltwater rinse to clean the extraction site and assist the healing process. Gently swish the water around your mouth, avoiding any aggressive movements. While you should still brush your teeth after an extraction, avoid the extraction site altogether. You don’t want to disturb the blood clot as you heal.
In the days after your extraction, you should stick to a soft diet. Foods like soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt are all good options. Don’t chew or try to process food on the side of the extraction site. Try to chew everything on the opposite side. Don’t eat or drink anything overly hot or cold, which can irritate the extraction site. You can start introducing more solid foods as the days go by, and you start to feel better.
Avoid using tobacco products for at least 72 hours after the extraction. The nicotine in them restricts blood vessels, while the extraction site needs proper blood flow to form a clot and heal. When drinking, you shouldn’t use a straw until the site is completely healed. The suction from it is likely to disrupt the blood clot.
Schedule an Appointment
Do you think you may need a tooth extraction? Call our office or schedule an appointment online.