Tooth Extraction Ramsey, MN
Extractions (Tooth Removals)
What Is Tooth Extraction?
One of the biggest fears of having a tooth removed is the unknown. Not knowing what sensations you will feel during and after the extraction. How long the procedure is going to last. You might even be asking when you will be able to eat hard foods again. If you’re feeling nervous about the procedure, that’s not uncommon. But it is important for you to know that the removal of a tooth is often a simple process.
If you have a loose, damaged, or infected tooth and are wondering whether a tooth extraction might be right for you, please contact our staff. At River’s Bend, we want to give you an experience that is personalized and tailored to your specific needs. Knowing if you have reservations or previous extraction experiences can help us create an environment that focuses on your comfort.
Fun Fact: There was a dentist in the 1900s who combined a circus act, cocaine, and extractions to promote his dentistry named ‘Painless Parker.’ Read more about his history from the Smithsonian here
River’s Bend Family Dental provides a wide range of dental procedures to make it convenient for your family to tend to all its dental needs.
How the Tooth Removal Process Works
When you first meet us, we want to determine if tooth removal is the best solution for you. This is our initial consultation about the tooth.
There are two types of tooth removals. Simple or Complex
Simple: Your jaw will be locally numbed with anesthetic in the area where the tooth will be removed. Nitrous gas is available to help calm nerves. Once the numbness takes effect, a simple set of tools is used to remove the tooth. Generally this type of procedure can be completed within a matter of minutes.
Complex: It includes all the elements of simple tooth extraction but requires a more extensive set of surgical tools. Instead of a simple set of tools, a complex surgical set is needed. This usually includes a drill necessary to create the space around the tooth to retrieve it. Complex extractions are necessary for teeth with curved roots, prior root canals, or severe damage extending below the gum line, among other reasons.
After the tooth removal, the staff and/or doctor will talk to you about post-operative care.
Tooth Removal Post-Operative After Care
After a tooth is removed, it’s important to stick to a soft diet and avoid vigorous mouth rinsing or spitting, sucking on a straw, and smoking for at least 24-48 hours. It’s best to avoid brushing near the extraction site and to leave the area undisturbed as much as possible. Bleeding is common following the procedure. Be sure to continue biting on the gauze for at least 30 minutes after the procedure. You will also be given extra gauze in case it continues to ooze. Feel free to replace the gauze and continue biting, applying firm pressure for another half hour.
We provide these instructions to help you avoid a dry socket. You will know if you have a dry socket within the critical 24-48 hours after the extraction if you experience increasing pain in the area. A dry socket occurs when proper healing does not take place. If the healing clot is dislodged or removed prematurely, it can lead to a dry socket. Please be cautious of the extraction site. If you suspect a dry socket, please call our staff immediately. They will arrange for medication to help restart the healing process.
Most patients will feel like their mouth has healed completely within one to two weeks. Please feel free to return to a regular oral care routine by this time. If you are still feeling discomfort after this time, please call the office.
Replacement Options
If you have a functioning or esthetic tooth that is removed (excludes wisdom teeth), you might be wondering about replacement options. We’re glad you’re thinking about that and there are two common routes patients consider.
1) The Dental Bridge
2) The Dental Implant
The Dental Bridge: This option fills a space where a tooth or several teeth are missing. It braces on adjacent teeth and uses hardened ceramic materials to give great esthetic life-like teeth. By bracing the adjacent teeth, it maintains all of the spaces, preventing severe crowding and shifting to occur. If you would like to read more details about dental bridges, please click here.
Family Dentistry
At River’s Bend Family Dental, we create a comfortable environment to address the unique dental needs of your family.
Associated Costs
Every person’s situation and specific insurance plan is unique and different. And with most dental procedures, what and how much a procedure will be covered is ultimately determined by your specific policy and plan. With dental extractions, many insurance plans cover extraction procedures. If you do not currently have dental insurance coverage or have questions about payment options, always feel free to contact our knowledgeable staff. They are always happy to discuss possible options with you.