Tooth Extractions – Toledo, OH

If you’re ever dealing with a severely hurting, broken, or decayed tooth, rest assured that our team at Dental Group West will do whatever we can to restore it. However, sometimes a tooth simply cannot be saved no matter what we do, and keeping it in your mouth could pose a threat to your other pearly whites. In these cases, we may recommend tooth extractions in Toledo. We can also discuss your options for replacing the tooth afterward and completing your smile. Please contact our dental office to learn more!

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

While an extraction is never our first choice, it may be the best treatment for a tooth that:

• Is too decayed to support a filling or crown.
• Is so broken that it cannot be put back together.
• Has an infection that may spread to the surrounding teeth.
• Is already falling out because of advanced gum disease.
• Is impacted, or stuck underneath the gumline (common with the wisdom teeth).
• May prevent the surrounding teeth from properly shifting during orthodontic treatment.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

Tooth extractions can be categorized in one of two ways: simple or surgical. Simple tooth extractions are performed on teeth that have completely emerged past the gumline. First, we numb the area around the tooth to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort. We also offer sedation dentistry to make sure that you’re fully at-ease every step of the way. We then clasp the tooth with a forceps-like instrument and gently rock the tooth back and forth, loosening it until it breaks free of the connective tissue.

Surgical tooth extractions are necessary when a tooth is fully or partially impacted. In these situations, our team will likely need to take additional steps compared to a simple extraction. Sometimes we may need to create one or more tiny incisions in the gums so that we can access the tooth. In other cases, we might need to break the tooth into smaller pieces and remove them individually. Each patient’s circumstances are different. Before beginning your procedure, our team will carefully outline what your treatment will entail so that you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

We’ll provide you with specific aftercare guidelines based on the nature of your tooth extraction. This will include a plan for managing pain, whether through prescribed pain relievers or over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen. You’ll also be advised to hold a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in ten-minute intervals to reduce discomfort and swelling. We’ll give you detailed instructions for changing out the gauze pads and keeping your mouth clean during the recovery process. Lastly, we’ll provide you with tips on what to eat as you heal, which should mostly be soft foods.