Tooth Extractions – Lakewood, CO

When Is a Tooth Extraction Recommended?

Tooth extractions in Lakewood are certainly not recommended lightly. Dr. Vinnie will only recommend one if it’s absolutely necessary for your health and there are no other viable treatments, such as a dental crown or root canal therapy. Tooth extractions are usually used when:

• A tooth is damaged beyond repair.
• A tooth is so decayed or infected that it can’t be saved.
• Gum disease has damaged the jawbone and connective tissues that support a tooth.
• There isn’t enough room in the mouth for a new denture or orthodontic treatment.
• A baby tooth is preventing a permanent tooth from coming in.

What Is the Tooth Extraction Process Like?

First, Dr. Vinnie will work quickly to get you out of pain as soon as possible by applying local anesthetic to numb the area. This reliable numbing medication will ensure that you stay comfortable throughout the entire process. Once it’s in full effect, he’ll use a small device called a dental elevator to carefully begin to lift the tooth from its socket. Next, he’ll carefully grasp the tooth with a special pair of forceps and gently rock it back and forth. Eventually, it will break free of the remaining supportive tissues and slip out of the socket entirely.

Dr. Vinnie will then carefully rinse and disinfect the area to ensure that your mouth is completely clean. Typically, he’ll stitch the gums closed with dissolvable sutures to cover the extraction site and place a piece of clean gauze over it. Thanks to the local anesthetic that we applied at the beginning of your treatment, you should only feel occasional pressure throughout the entire process.

Tips for Healing After Tooth Extraction

Before you leave our office, we’ll give you specific instructions for how to care for your smile after your procedure. For a fast and comfortable recovery, we will typically suggest that you:

• Relax and avoid physical, strenuous activities for at least 24 hours.
• Take prescribed pain medication or recommended over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed.
• Reduce swelling by applying an ice pack or cold compress for 10 minutes on then 10 minutes off.
• Rinse with warm saltwater several times a day to keep bacteria and infection at bay.
• Stick to a diet of soft, nutritious foods for at least 48 hours and remember to stay hydrated.
• Refrain from smoking, don’t drink through a straw, and remember to brush the extraction site gently.

If you suddenly find yourself with an intense toothache or damaged tooth, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Lakewood emergency dentist. We’ll do everything we can to get you out of pain right away and protect your oral health.

Tooth Extractions FAQs

Removing your natural teeth is never Dr. Vinnie’s first choice for treating dental damage, but if he determines that one or more of your teeth needs to be extracted, he’ll make sure you feel comfortable at every step of the process. It’s understandable to have questions about tooth extractions in Lakewood that you’d like answered ahead of your procedure, and our team is always here to give you the information you need. To help you feel more at-ease before your appointment, we’ve included the answers to some frequently asked questions about tooth extractions from previous patients.

How Should I Prepare for My Tooth Extraction?

Before your extraction, it’s important to discuss your medical history with Dr. Vinnie, as well as a complete list of any medications you’re currently taking. Being honest about this information will help our team plan to make your procedure as safe and comfortable as possible. We’ll let you know whether you should temporarily stop taking any medications before or after your extraction, and we’ll also go over which foods you should and shouldn’t eat while recovering. You should arrange for a trusted family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment, as it can take several hours for the anesthesia to fully wear off.

What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?

If you need to replace your missing tooth after a tooth extraction, there are several options to choose from depending on your specific oral health needs, jawbone density, and budget. These options include dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. A dental bridge can replace a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth by anchoring several artificial teeth onto two of your remaining pearly whites via dental crowns. A full denture rests on the gums to bring back an entire row, while a partial denture fills the gaps left behind by several lost teeth. Dental implants are often considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, as they’re surgically placed in the jaw and deliver greater longevity and stability. Your dentist in Lakewood can let you know which of these solutions would best suit your needs.

How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dentures?

Following the removal of a tooth, your gums and jawbone will need time to heal before the teeth can be replaced. In most cases, it takes six to eight weeks until your gums have recovered enough to begin the process of getting dentures. If we were to start before that point, your dentures may end up not fitting correctly, as we would have taken impressions before your gums had settled into their normal shape after healing.

Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?

All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and even e-cigarettes, can delay the healing process significantly. Therefore, you should avoid using these products after your tooth extraction. We typically recommend abstaining from tobacco for at least five days following your procedure, but two full weeks is even more ideal. In fact, you might as well use this as an opportunity to attempt to kick the habit for good! If you’ve tried quitting before but have had difficulty, don’t be afraid to let Dr. Vinnie know. He’s not interested in passing judgement; he just wants to give you the help you need for a successful treatment.