Dental extractions are not typically dental treatments that patients look forward to. Still, our Vista Ridge Family Dentistry team is committed to helping our patients have the most comfortable and relaxed dental visits possible. Whether you know you need a dental extraction or believe you may need one, our staff is here to assist you. We provide tooth extraction treatment in our Cedar Park, TX, dental office.
Extractions are just one of the many comprehensive general dental care services we provide to Cedar Park, Texas. These services help you maintain your oral health and prevent future dental problems.
Why Do I Need a Dental Extraction?
You may need your tooth pulled for multiple reasons:
- Infection: Severe tooth decay is one of the most common reasons we must remove a tooth. As an infection spreads, it affects the dental pulp that keeps the tooth alive. We must remove the tooth if the infection is too extensive for a filling or root canal.
- Impacted Teeth: An impacted tooth does not have enough room to grow. As a result, it is stuck in the gums or bone. The impacted tooth can cause pain, damage other teeth, and increase the risk of decay.
- Overcrowding: People with overcrowded teeth are more likely to experience bite disorders and infections. Removing overcrowded teeth opens up room in the mouth for proper tooth movement. After we remove a problem tooth, we can provide orthodontic treatment to fix misaligned and crooked teeth.
Tooth Extraction in Cedar Park, TX
We offer simple and complex tooth extractions. Our office easily removes a tooth above the gum line during a simple extraction. Complex tooth extractions remove teeth at or below the gum line.
Many patients fear pain, especially during treatments like tooth extractions. If you have a simple extraction, we will first numb your tooth so you will not feel any pain. Then, we will rock the tooth back and forth for removal. We often recommend sedation if you have complex tooth extractions.
You will not feel any pain during your tooth extraction, no matter the length of treatment. The length of your tooth extraction treatment will depend on the number of teeth we remove and their location.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
The final teeth to grow are the wisdom teeth. They are called wisdom teeth because they typically grow in your teens or twenties. While some people can live with wisdom teeth, many patients require tooth removal.
Wisdom teeth grow behind the molars. If there is not enough room for them to grow, they become impacted, which often leads to overcrowding and tooth damage. We prefer to remove wisdom teeth before they create problems for your other natural teeth.
Wisdom teeth treatment involves removing one or all four of the wisdom teeth. Because these teeth are harder to access, treatment may take several hours.
Contact our office if you feel pain behind your molars or if your wisdom teeth are growing. We will take X-rays and help you schedule the right time to remove them.
Tooth Extraction Post-Op Instructions
Follow these instructions as you heal after your tooth extraction in our Cedar Park, TX office:
- Eat Soft Foods: We recommend eating soft foods directly after treatment. Hard and crunchy foods can irritate and damage the extraction sites. Eat soft foods for a day or two until will reduce pain and discomfort.
- Use Gauze: We will place gauze on the extraction sites after we remove your teeth. Our office recommends replacing the gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding stops. Biting down on the gauze also helps blood clots form over the extraction sites. These blood clots protect the nerves.
- Use a Cold Compress: Applying an ice pack to the side of your face will help reduce swelling. Swelling is normal and should subside within a day or two.
- Take Pain Medication: We will prescribe pain medication for you to take after the anesthetic or sedation wears off. Taking pain medication as prescribed will make the healing process comfortable.
- Gently Clean Your Mouth: Brushing directly on the extraction sites can dislodge the blood clots that form on the tooth sockets. This can cause dry socket, a highly painful problem when the nerves are exposed. We recommend brushing and flossing gently and avoiding the extraction sites until they fully heal. Once you stop bleeding, gently wash the tooth sockets with water in a pipette.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Learn more about dental extractions as we answer these common questions:
Can I return to school or work after a dental extraction?
Dental extractions are oral surgery, and patients should plan on going straight home post-treatment. The time you need to take off from your routine will depend on your specific treatment. We can offer you an estimate during your consultation. Resting is an integral part of the recovery process after dental extraction. Too much activity too soon can cause the blood clot to come loose from the extraction site, causing a painful complication called a dry socket.
What can I eat after a dental extraction?
Before your dental extraction, you will want to stock up on your favorite soft foods that require little to no chewing. Cream of wheat, blended soups, avocado, pudding, scrambled eggs, and yogurt are great choices. We recommend that you eat soft foods on the days following your treatment. Avoid crunchy or sharp foods like chips or nuts. You may need to cut food into smaller pieces after returning to your regular daily routine and diet.
Is it better to extract a tooth or get a crown?
Dental extractions are more invasive than restorative treatments like dental fillings and tooth crowns. We only recommend extractions when we believe a tooth is too damaged for a less invasive treatment, such as a root canal.
During your consultation, we will assess your smile to determine the best choice for your unique circumstances. If we remove a decayed or damaged tooth, we can work with you to find an excellent tooth-replacement option. We can recommend a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.
What is dry socket, and how can I prevent it?
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot protecting the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves too early, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. This condition can cause significant pain and delay healing. To prevent dry socket, avoid smoking, using straws, or rinsing your mouth too forcefully after the procedure. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully.
Can I brush my teeth after a tooth extraction?
You can brush your teeth, but avoid the extraction site for the first 24 hours. Afterward, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle around the area. Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully to prevent disturbing the blood clot. Proper oral hygiene helps prevent infection and promotes healing.
Is a tooth extraction painful?
Tooth extractions are typically not painful because the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. If sedation or general anesthesia is used, you will be asleep or in a deeply relaxed state during the procedure. After the extraction, some discomfort is normal, but pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications, ice packs, and following post-operative care instructions.
Get a Tooth Extraction
Are you looking to schedule a dental extraction or wisdom tooth removal in Cedar Park? Please get in touch with our friendly front office team. Call 512-866-9654 or request a dental consultation on our website.