Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to prevent infection, promote healthy teeth and gums, or ease pain or crowding. This is especially true when it comes to impacted wisdom teeth.
Choosing the right dental professional is crucial for a smooth and comfortable procedure. Make sure you discuss any medications you take with the dentist, as some may affect bleeding or interfere with anesthesia.
Preparation
The dentist can offer many ways to alleviate the pain of the procedure, including anesthesia and sedation. These substances have specific effects on different people and should be discussed with the dental professional before a tooth extraction in little rock. Providing comprehensive information can reduce anxiety and ensure a smooth treatment.
Before your appointment, eat a light meal and drink water to help prevent nausea. You should also refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking for the day of your procedure. Lastly, avoid brushing the teeth directly over the extraction site.
After the extraction, rinse your mouth gently with salt water three or four times a day to keep the area clean. You should also bite firmly on the gauze pad placed by your dentist to control bleeding and aid in clot formation. Rinsing and spitting forcefully can dislodge the clot, which can cause complications. If you experience excessive bleeding, contact the dentist immediately. Infection can set in if left untreated.
Anesthesia
Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to maintain your oral health and function. A tooth may need to be removed if it has severe decay or an untreatable fracture, to clear up infection, or to make room for other teeth to grow and avoid overcrowding.
We can perform tooth extraction in little rock under one of two types of anesthesia:
Local Anesthesia: During this procedure you will remain awake but numb, experiencing pressure instead of pain. This is the preferred option for simple extractions or patients with good anxiety management skills.
Nitrous Oxide: Often called “laughing gas,” this mild sedative is delivered through a nose hood and can elevate your mood and reduce anxiety, but doesn’t render you unconscious. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you until the effects of sedation wear off.
You will be given post-operative instructions after the treatment, including eating soft foods and staying away from hot drinks and alcoholic beverages. You may also receive prescription painkillers and antibiotics.
Procedure
Once you’re numb, our dentist will remove the tooth using tools to loosen it from its socket. They’ll also use a special system to encourage blood clotting and reduce the amount of force applied during tooth extraction in little rock.
A small opening will remain at the site of the extracted tooth. Our dentist will cover it with gauze to bite down on. This minimizes bleeding and promotes a quick formation of a blood clot that speeds healing.
The doctor may instruct you to rinse gently with a salt water solution beginning 24 hours after the extraction. Avoid using commercial mouthwash as this can irritate the wound.
Wisdom teeth are a set of third molars that develop between the ages of 17 and 21. When they erupt improperly, they can cause pain, tooth crowding, and other dental problems. We perform wisdom tooth removals under anesthesia and sedation. We can also replace your wisdom teeth with prosthetics if they are impacted or decayed.
Recovery
While we do everything possible to protect your remaining teeth, sometimes extraction is necessary. A tooth may need to be removed because of extensive decay, a broken tooth that cannot be repaired, or a bad bite that could affect the health and function of your other teeth.
After the tooth is extracted you will experience some bleeding, but putting a piece of gauze over the empty socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this. Some pain is normal, but if it becomes severe or you see pus, contact us immediately. This could be a sign of an infection or dry socket.
Infections that occur in the tooth extraction in little rock site can lead to serious problems including bone loss and even death. To reduce the risk of these complications, follow a soft food diet and use over-the-counter pain relief medications as directed. Avoid smoking and drinking through straws, which can dislodge the blood clot and expose the bone to irritation.
