Whenever possible, a dentist will attempt to preserve your natural teeth before resorting to tooth extraction. But if a tooth extraction can benefit your oral health, Dr. Strauss can help. He uses advanced piezoelectric technology to gently remove teeth without harming surrounding soft tissues, which can make your recovery and healing much smoother.
Tooth extractions are incredibly common procedures. It should be reiterated that an extraction is used as a procedure of last resort, when nothing more can be done to save the tooth. Here is a brief overview of some of the main reasons for tooth extraction:
Following an extraction, you will need to allow a few days to recover at home. With proper rest and care, tooth extraction wounds typically heal quickly and without complications. Expect to rest at home for the first 24 hours, which means staying home from work or school. Limiting strenuous activity in the first few days will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form.
Minor swelling and discomfort are common symptoms of extracted teeth, and not cause for concern. Most swelling and pain can be managed by applying ice to the affected area following the procedure. Your oral surgeon may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribe pain medications to minimize discomfort.
To speed the recovery process and reduce the risk for infection, patients should eat soft foods in the first few days following the extraction. Good, nutritious options include soup, yogurt, eggs and applesauce. As the extraction site heals, you can slowly add solid foods back to your diet.
We perform our dental extractions with THREE things in mind.
The FIRST is your comfort. The SECOND is speed, we do this as fast as possible. The THIRD is to remove the tooth with no disruption or damage to the adjacent teeth.
We use several techniques and instruments to help us accomplish our goals. One of these techniques is to provide ample time for the procedure so we can answer all of your questions and even take a break if you need one!