Tooth Extractions in Queen Creek, AZ
Dr. Alexander and the dental care team at Alexander Family Dental share a primary goal of helping our patients keep their natural teeth healthy and functional for a lifetime. However, there are instances when dental extractions near you will be necessary, and our goal becomes providing gentle dentistry during the removal procedure.
Types of Dental Extractions Near You
There are many reasons that you or a family member may need to have a tooth extracted. These can range from simple tooth extractions such as making space for teeth that are overcrowded or teeth that have become too decayed to repair to surgical extraction for wisdom teeth removal. When you visit our dentist in Queen Creek, AZ, for your tooth extraction consultation, you’ll receive information about the type of procedure that you’ll be receiving (simple or surgical).
Sedation Dentistry is Available
One matter to be considered is whether or not you’ll require sedation dentistry as an element of your procedure. Some patients prefer sedation during their dental extraction because of anxiety. Other patients can undergo the procedure from our dentist near you without requiring sedation. Either way, our dental care team will provide you with complete post-procedure instructions depending on the type of extraction you’re undergoing and whether or not you’ve requested any sedation from our dentist in Queen Creek, AZ.
Replacing an Extracted Tooth
With the exception of wisdom teeth that require extraction or a tooth that must be removed to create more space from an orthodontic perspective, it’s recommended that the gap that’s been created by the extraction gets replaced with a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture before your remaining teeth begin to shift out of place. Dr. Alexander at Alexander Family Dental can advise which method will be best-suited and the timeline for treatment.
Be Proactive Against Tooth Loss
Do you want to take measures today to avoid needing an extraction in the future due to dental decay, gum disease, or other reasons that can be controlled with preventive dentistry? If so, we invite you to make an appointment using our convenient online booking tool to schedule a comprehensive exam with Dr. Alexander.
FAQ's
A tooth extraction is a dental surgery in which a tooth is removed from its socket in the bone. This may be necessary if a tooth is extremely decayed, damaged, infected, or causing other dental issues, such as overcrowding or impaction.
Tooth extractions may be needed for various reasons, including:
- Severe tooth decay or damage that cannot be repaired with a filling or crown
- Infection or abscess that doesn’t respond to root canal treatment
- Impacted wisdom teeth that can lead to pain or infection
No, tooth extractions are generally not painful. The procedure is done under local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. You may feel pressure during the extraction, but you should not experience pain. After the procedure, feeling some discomfort and swelling are quite normal, but these can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
A typical tooth extraction procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending totally on the complexity of the extraction. Simple extractions, such as those for a tooth that is fully erupted, are generally quicker than surgical extractions, which may be needed for impacted teeth.
After a tooth extraction, you may experience mild pain, swelling, and bleeding for the first 24 to 48 hours. We will give post-operative care instructions to help with the healing process, including tips on managing pain, swelling, and bleeding. It’s important to follow all these instructions to ensure proper healing.
Healing time differs depending on the complexity of the extraction and your overall health. For a simple extraction, it typically takes around 1 to 2 weeks to let the gum tissue heal. More complex extractions, such as wisdom tooth extractions, may take several weeks for full recovery.
It’s best to avoid eating or drinking for the first few hours after the extraction to allow the blood clot to form properly. Once the initial clot has formed, you can eat soft foods and drink, but avoid hot, too spicy, or hard foods that could irritate the extraction site. You must also avoid using a straw, as the suction can disturb the clot.
For simple extractions, stitches may not be necessary, as the gum tissue typically heals on its own. However, if the extraction is more complex, such as with impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist may place dissolvable stitches to close the gum tissue. These stitches will dissolve on their own over time.
If you experience any unusual symptoms after a tooth extraction, such as excessive bleeding, severe pain, or signs of infection (like fever or pus), it’s important to contact Alexander Family Dental immediately. We can address complications and ensure proper healing.
Yes, there are several options for substituting a missing tooth after an extraction. These include dental implants, bridges, or dentures, depending on your needs and the location of the missing tooth. Your dentist will discuss the best option for you based on your oral health and preferences.
It is advised to avoid smoking and vaping for 72 hours after your surgery. Smoking/vaping creates suction that can pull out the blood clot, thus leading to a dry socket. (Dry sockets are very painful and require medicated packing. Contact the office if you think you have developed a dry socket.)
Alcohol can thin your blood and may make clotting difficult. Alcohol should be avoided for 72 hours.
No. Carbonated beverages can break down the blood clot, leading to dry socket.
