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Extractions

While losing a tooth is the last resort as treatment, sometimes it is the only option.

An extraction means to have a tooth removed. The causes can be because of disease, trauma or crowding.

What to Expect

If you need an extraction, the dentist will first numb the area around the tooth. You should feel no pain, just a little pressure. The procedure is fairly quick and many patients feel immediate relief after the tooth has come out. In most cases, a small amount of bleeding is normal. In time, the area will form a blood clot and your mouth will slowly fill in the bone where the tooth root was. If you experience any swelling, apply a cold cloth or bag of ice and call the office immediately.

After the Procedure

It is imperative to follow the specific directions from the dentist in order to allow the area to heal. Failure to follow them can result in a dry socket, which is a painful condition that requires immediate attention. Here's some tips to follow to make your recovery easier:

Avoid strenuous work, no lifting heavy items
Don't smoke
Don't drink through a straw or do any sucking motion for 24 hours
Do not rinse your mouth vigorously

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an extraction?

While losing a tooth is the last resort as treatment, sometimes it is the only option.

An extraction means to have a tooth removed. The causes can be because of disease, trauma or crowding.

What to Expect

After the Procedure

It is imperative to follow the specific directions from the dentist in order to allow the area to heal. Failure to follow them can result in a dry socket, which is a painful condition that requires immediate attention. Here are some tips to follow to make your recovery easier:

Avoid strenuous work, no lifting heavy items
Don't smoke
Don't drink through a straw or do any sucking motions for 24 hours
Do not rinse your mouth vigorously

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Paul Perella DMD

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Dr. Paul Perella graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2001. He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington for his undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Florida Dental Association (FDA), and the Atlantic Coast District Dental Association (ACDDA).

Dr. Perella ensures his patients receive the best care and most up to date treatment. He is committed to excellence by ...

Featured Blog Posts - Extractions

May 20, 2013

DIET SODA, METH, OR CRACK: YOUR TEETH CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE

A recent study published in the March/April 2013 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, has discovered that drinking large quantities of your favorite carbonated soda could be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamine and crack cocaine use.

The case study compared the damage in three individuals' mouths--an admitted user of methamphetamine, a previous longtime user of cocaine, and an excessive diet soda drinker. Each participant admitted to having poor oral hygiene and not visiting a dentist on a regular basis. Researchers found the same type and severity of damage from tooth erosion in each participants mouth.

"Each person ...

January 30, 2013

AND YOU THINK YOU HATE GOING TO THE DENTIST NOW...

14 Dental History Pictures That Will Make You Love Your Dentist

As much as people don't like going to the dentist, things used to be much worse. Take a look at the pictures below to see how far dentistry has come in the last few centuries.

January 9, 2013

EXPERTS DEBATE WHETHER WISDOM TEETH NEED TO GO

If you're one of the millions of people who have gotten their wisdom teeth out "just because you thought you needed to", you're not alone.

Ask most oral surgeons and they'll tell you that you're better off safe than sorry when it comes to wisdom teeth. Have them out early and your risk for long-term problems including infections and decay are low, they say. If you wait and do encounter problems, removal will carry more risks.

In recent years, though, there has been some debate about the wisdom of removing wisdom teeth where there is no pressing dental concern.

A research review published during the summer by the ...