Safe, Gentle Tooth Removal at Luck Dental Clinic
Tooth removal is sometimes necessary to preserve oral health. Dr. Clemenson of Luck Dental Clinic can gently remove teeth that pose a risk to your smile’s health and function. Whether due to overcrowding issues or impacted wisdom teeth, our team strives to resolve your dental problems with painless solutions.
With years of experience in dental care, our family dentist in Luck, WI provides top-tier, compassionate care for patients in Centuria, Cushing, and Balsam Lake. Discover how we can help you reclaim good oral health.
When is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Our dentist works to save natural teeth whenever possible, such as with root canal treatments. However, Dr. Clemenson may determine tooth extraction is necessary if a patient is experiencing:
- Deep Dental Decay: Large cavities extending into the tooth’s pulp can put you at risk for infection and may require tooth removal.
- Large Tooth Fracture: If a tooth has a crack that extends to the tip of the root, Dr. Clemenson will likely extract and restore it.
- Gum Disease: Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, as it erodes the bone that supports the teeth. As the pockets around the roots become deeper, the teeth become more mobile, resulting in eventual tooth loss.
- Overcrowded Teeth: Patients with overcrowded teeth may require extractions before orthodontic treatment can repair their smiles.
- Increased Risk of Infection: If a particular tooth carries a high risk for infection, we may recommend extracting it proactively to preserve oral health.
Tooth Extraction Services
General Extractions
Also known as simple extractions, general extractions are ideal for teeth with large fractures or severe decay. Because these teeth are above the gum line, Dr. Clemenson can easily extract the damaged tooth to prevent problems from spreading to adjacent teeth. She’ll administer a local anesthetic beforehand to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the process. After our dentist stitches up your gums and applies gauze, patients need to rest for around 48 to 72 hours to ensure proper healing.
Surgical Extractions
Surgical extractions are for impacted teeth that haven’t breached the gum line. As a result, extraction is a bit more complex. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, Dr. Clemenson will gently make an incision into your gums to access and remove the tooth. She’ll then apply stitches and gauze to begin the healing process. Patients need at least 72 hours of rest and recovery after surgical tooth removal.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually erupt in a patient’s late teens to early twenties. These teeth become impacted if there’s insufficient room for them to grow. When wisdom teeth grow sideways or fail to emerge, they can cause painful complications.
Our dentist in Luck can remove these with a surgical extraction. Wisdom tooth removal is similar to surgical tooth removal and involves the same procedure and healing times.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Following tooth extraction, patients may experience mild tenderness, which can be alleviated with over-the-counter medications. Swelling and inflammation can be reduced with cold compresses applied to the outer jaw in 20-minute increments.
In most cases, patients can return to work within a few days. For at least 48 hours after your procedure, our Luck, IW dentist advises you to avoid:
- Strenuous physical activity
- Tough, chewy, spicy, or hot foods
- Drinking through a straw
- Alcohol and tobacco consumption
- Chewing on your surgical site
Dr. Clemenson will provide a set of comprehensive post-operative guidelines. Following these instructions will help you enjoy a swift and comfortable recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! Many patients avoid tooth extractions, but removing problematic teeth can help alleviate severe toothaches and other painful complications. Your dentist will ensure a painless procedure by administering a local anesthetic beforehand.
You may experience some discomfort following the extraction. Any pain will be minimal and manageable with over-the-counter medications and a cold compress.
Tooth extractions are typically quick procedures that can be completed in one appointment. If you need multiple tooth extractions, you’ll likely need to schedule more than one visit to your dentist’s office. The exact treatment time depends on the details of your procedure. Consult with your dentist to get an estimated treatment timeline.
Patients can eat right after tooth extraction but should stick with soft and mild foods for the first few days. Crunchy, spicy, or hot foods can irritate your surgical site and lead to infections or complications.
Some safe foods that you can eat for the first few days after your extraction include:
- Soups and broths
- Scrambled eggs
- Smoothies
- Popsicles
- Mashed potatoes
- Mashed fruits and vegetables
- Yogurts and puddings
- Protein shakes
Recovery from tooth extraction depends on several factors, such as how many teeth your dentist removed, your oral health, and the nature of your extraction. Patients who underwent simple extractions should rest for around 48 to 72 hours. However, patients who underwent surgical extractions require healing periods of at least 72 hours.