Tooth extractions involve the complete removal of a primary or a permanent tooth. A tooth extraction can be surgical or non-surgical depending on the difficulty of the extraction and whether or not the tooth is impacted (below the gum) or erupted (above the gum), and whether it has straight or curved roots. No one looks forward to a tooth extraction, but modern anesthesia and a variety of sedation modalities will help keep you comfortable and calm throughout the procedure.
If you’ve suffered dental trauma or are living with a toothache, you may need a tooth extraction. A damaged or abscessed tooth can lead to more serious issues affecting other teeth, oral health, and even in some cases, your physical health if the cause is gum disease.
At Brier Creek Implants & Periodontics, we recommend treating infection and saving the natural tooth if possible. If saving the tooth is not possible, it will need to be extracted and potentially be replaced with a dental implant.
Our board-certified periodontist provides gentle tooth extractions to the Raleigh and surrounding communities. Dr. Wu is highly skilled at extracting teeth and minimizing damage to your gums and bone.
When a tooth is extracted, it’s natural for the socket to bleed, even if stitches are in place. Our dental team will provide you with gauze pads and instruct you to gently place them onto the socket to absorb the drainage, staunch any bleeding and promote clotting. Typically, you’ll want to leave gauze in place for 3-4 hours following your tooth extraction, changing it out as necessary.
To promote clotting, we recommend patients avoid rinsing, smoking, and drinking through a straw for 24 hours. Contact our office if you have any questions after your tooth extraction.
If you have periodontal disease, periodontitis, or gingivitis, periodontal maintenance is essential to halting the progression of the disease and helping to stabilize your oral health. Together, we can help to maintain your periodontal health, one visit at a time.
