Why You Might Need A Tooth Extraction
Hearing that you may need a tooth extraction can be scary, but if you are dealing with discomfort because of a problem tooth, tooth extraction may be your only option for relief. Dr. Ivey and his caring team are ready to help you get rid of that problematic tooth and get you on the road to recovery.
There are many reasons you might need a tooth extraction, including;
- Severe dental decay;
- Advanced periodontal (gum) disease;
- A broken tooth that cannot be repaired;
- Poorly positioned teeth or impacted teeth; and
- Orthodontic treatment preparations.
Getting a tooth extracted for any one of these reasons can help provide relief, improve your mood, and increase your overall health. Sound good? Now let’s talk about what’s involved in the process.
The Process of Extracting A Tooth
You will always require some level of anesthesia for tooth extractions. Your choices of anesthesia include having local numbing only, local numbing of the area combined with a relaxing agent, or IV sedation, where you will not remember any aspect of the extraction. Dr. Ivey will help you determine which level of anesthesia is recommended for your particular situation. We do everything we can to ensure you have a comfortable, pain-free experience.
Recovering from a Tooth Extraction Procedure
The healing process after a tooth extraction can’t start until a blood clot is formed to stop the bleeding. Sometimes it only takes 30 minutes for this to happen, but it may take a couple of hours. Dr. Ivey will give you a gauze pad to bite on firmly during this time. Once the blood clot has formed, it is extremely important you don’t do anything to dislodge it. This means that you can’t exercise, smoke, drink alcohol, suck through straws, or brush the teeth surrounding your extraction area for at least 72 hours.
You may feel some discomfort once the anesthetic wears off. Swelling and different levels of discomfort are both common, but Dr. Ivey will prescribe you medication to help you get through the first several days following your tooth extraction. Applying an ice pack or another cold object for the first 72 hours, such as a bag of frozen vegetables, can also help keep the swelling down.
You’ll have to remember to drink plenty of fluids after your tooth extraction to remain hydrated and aid in the healing process. You may not have much of an appetite right away, and you will be given instructions about what foods you can eat. After 72 hours, you can return to your normal activities. Just give Dr. Ivey a call at his office if you have any concerns about the affected area.
Results You Can Live With
It’s difficult to get through each day with a toothache, but Dr. Ivey can help. He has extensive experience in tooth extractions, but most of all, he knows how to make you feel better and shorten the recovery time following the extraction. If you do not have your problem tooth removed when it is necessary, it can create some potentially dangerous health concerns over time, so don’t wait to contact Dr. Ivey when the time comes.
Read Our Reviews
Dental Anxiety Is Real, And We Are Here To Help
With all that said, we understand that dental anxiety is a problem for many of our patients, so we do everything we can to help. Dr. Ivey and our team will take the time to learn what makes you comfortable and take the necessary steps to create the most relaxing environment possible. We are only satisfied with our work if you are satisfied with the process and the results, so never be afraid to ask questions or make special requests before, during, or after your tooth extraction.
Why Dr. Austin Ivey is Different
Dr. Ivey genuinely wants to know more about every one of his patients before doing any procedure for them. No one looks forward to tooth extraction, but he makes the process much easier to cope with.
Ivey Oral & Facial Surgery is focused on patient outcomes, which helps drive the team to do their best possible work. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if you have a toothache or think you may be a candidate for a tooth extraction.
Call or text our office in the Centennial, CO area at (303) 493-1933 today to put a stop to the pain.
