Extractions Specialist

Why are extractions sometimes necessary?

Permanent teeth are built to last a lifetime, but for many reasons, some teeth might not. For instance, you could need a tooth extracted because it's too cracked or chipped to repair. Lifestyle choices, trauma, and decay can all contribute to needing teeth pulled.

Your dentist may recommend an extraction if you're dealing with one of the following situations:

• Risk of infection from a failed root canal
• Risk of infection during chemotherapy or an organ transplant
• Advanced gum (periodontal) disease
• Crowded or extra teeth
• No room for wisdom teeth (third molars)

What should I expect from an extraction procedure?

There are simple extractions and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are reserved for teeth that can be seen above the gum line. In a simple, quick extraction, a highly experienced dentist at Chicago Family Dental Center will loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator and gently remove it with dental forceps.

A surgical extraction is more complex. The tooth may be broken off close to the gumline or hasn't yet grown through the gum line, which is typical of wisdom teeth. In these cases, the dentist makes a small incision in your gum to remove the tooth. Sometimes the tooth needs to be sectioned, or cut into smaller pieces, to be removed. It may also be necessary to remove some of the bone around the affected tooth.

In both a simple extraction and surgical extraction, your dentist gives you a local or topical anesthetic, so you don’t feel any pain. This makes you very comfortable and puts you at ease for the duration of the procedure. If multiple teeth are extracted at the same time, as is common with wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist might give you a general anesthetic. You'll feel no pain and will sleep through the procedure.

What is the timeline for healing from a tooth extraction?

While it's contingent on your particular case and the number of teeth you had removed, the beginning healing stage takes about one to two weeks. New bone and gum tissue will slowly replace the areas where your teeth were removed. As your healing progresses, you might feel discomfort and soreness or have problems chewing, but this will depend on the amount of dental work you have.

Since everyone's situation is unique, you should reach out to Chicago Family Dental Center and book a consultation to find out about your options in addition to any important post-procedure treatments such as dental implants or crowns.

Make an appointment online or call Chicago Family Dental Center today.