Tooth Extractions In West Windsor

Extractions For Damaged Teeth

While we will always do our best to save your teeth at Smile Society General Dentistry, it’s not always possible to do so. If one or more of your teeth are severely damaged due to gum disease, tooth decay, or dental trauma, extracting your tooth and replacing it with a partial denture, dental bridge, or dental implant may be the best option. Extractions and replacement options can give you relief from your pain and discomfort, prevent future complications, and get back to your day-to-day life.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

The wisdom teeth are our last set of 4 molars, which erupt between the ages of 17-25. Since they come in so much later than the other teeth, many people do not have enough space in their mouths to accommodate their wisdom teeth. This can lead to complications like wisdom teeth growing in sideways or failing to erupt completely. If your wisdom teeth are not erupting properly, it may be best to have them extracted in order to prevent future oral health complications.

Understanding The Tooth Extraction Process

The process of a basic tooth extraction is very simple. First, Dr. Sulaiman or Dr. Singh will clean and numb your mouth. You can also be sedated during this procedure, if desired.

Once your mouth is completely numb, Dr. Singh or Dr. Sulaiman will use a special dental tool called an “elevator” to loosen your tooth in its socket. After the tooth is loosened, they will grab it with a pair of forceps, and pull it out of its socket. Once the tooth has been removed, the area will be cleaned and disinfected. Sometimes a suture is necessary. If needed, the doctor will place a dissolvable suture to promote healing. This process will be repeated for each tooth that requires extraction.

Do Tooth Extractions Hurt?

No, there’s no reason why you need to feel any pain or discomfort during the extraction procedure. The area will be completely numb, and we offer sedation options that will help you stay at ease during treatment. While we work hard to ensure the extraction process itself is pain-free, it’s normal for some patients to experience mild discomfort while healing. We can recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to keep you comfortable while you recover.

Post-Extraction Recovery & Aftercare

Dr. Singh and Dr. Sulaiman will provide you with a set of comprehensive instructions for post-extraction recovery. Make sure you follow them closely to ensure that your mouth heals properly.

For the first few days after your extraction, you’ll need to take it easy. Avoid brushing the extraction site directly, eat a diet of soft foods, avoid heavy physical activity, and take time off of work, if possible.

Swelling, bleeding, bruising, discomfort and stiffness around the extraction site will typically peak within 24-72 hours of extraction. After this, your symptoms will start to subside. You will feel much less discomfort and can usually start eating a normal diet after about a week. Within 2 weeks, the extraction site will be completely healed. It may be slightly tender to the touch, but it should not cause you pain or discomfort.

Does Pineapple Juice Actually Help Speed Up Recovery After an Extraction?

A fad that’s been trending on TikTok is the idea that drinking 64 oz of pineapple juice before getting a tooth extraction will help speed up your recovery, but is it merely a fad, or is there some truth to it?

The idea behind drinking pineapple juice is that it will reduce inflammation and swelling, which is actually true, but with a catch! Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain which does reduce swelling and inflammation.

However, to get enough of it from pineapple juice, you would need to drink a lot – much more than the recommended limit of 8 oz a day. Beyond this, you’re consuming a lot of excess sugar that can be damaging to your teeth. You’re better off eating some pineapple fruit directly. Before trying fads that you hear about on the internet, speak to your dentist first.

Are There Alternatives to an Extraction?

If your tooth is still salvageable, there are a few alternatives to extraction, depending on your reason for having them extracted. We will never recommend that you have your teeth extracted unless it’s absolutely necessary, so just know that if we are suggesting an extraction, there likely is no alternative.

However, sometimes patients prefer to opt for extraction, believing it to be the most expedient option. Instead of extracting your tooth in response to an infection, we can treat it with a root canal, which has a 95% success rate.

A severely damaged or broken tooth can be held together with a dental crown, which will provide additional strength and durability when you chew. However, sometimes you need a tooth extracted because it is impacted, you need more space in the mouth for orthodontic treatment, or the tooth is too damaged or decayed to be repaired.

Do I Need to Replace My Missing Tooth?

Yes, you will need to replace a missing tooth to prevent your other teeth from drifting into the vacant spot and leading to bite problems that will require orthodontic intervention. The only time a tooth doesn’t need to be replaced is if it’s a wisdom tooth.

All of your other teeth play a crucial role in maintaining your tooth alignment, assisting your ability to chew and speak, and preventing bone loss. When you lose a tooth, you will suffer from bone loss unless you replace it with a dental implant.

While other tooth restorations can prevent changes to your bite, restore your tooth functionality, and fill in gaps in your smile, they can’t prevent bone loss. If you’re concerned about changes to your facial structure including facial sagging that can make you look older than you are, we recommend placing a missing tooth with a dental implant.

Tooth Extractions In West Windsor

If you’re curious about tooth extraction options or suspect you may need an extraction, give the team at Smile Society a call today at (609) 779-2054 and schedule an appointment. We can help get you out of pain and get your oral health back on track.