FAQ

Pulling the severely cavitated, periodontal damage or traumatized tooth from it's socket in the bone.

Extraction is required for a number of reasons including: infection, severely periodontal damage (gum disease), severely traumatized tooth, ortho-order due to crowding or other reasons.

First, we numb around the tooth by local anesthetics. We then pull the tooth with specialized tools. For impacted teeth, a surgical approach is needed. During the extraction process you will experience a large amount of pushing and pressure.

We apply a local anesthetic before the procedure to make the process as comfortable as possible. After the extraction you may need pain killers and antibiotics based on the doctor's discretion. You may feel discomfort up to 3 days after the procedure.

After the extraction you will be instructed to place a clean and damp gauze on the extraction site with firm pressure for 45 minutes . For the first 24 hours, do not rinse your mouth as it may dislodge the clot formed to protect the wound and prevent additional bleeding. Do not use a straw for drinking and switch to a soft diet until the 24 hour period is up.

The extraction site can be maintained with salt water rinses and you may start brushing and flossing regularly. You can use icepacks on the outside of the face over where the surgery has been preformed to reduce swelling if any.

Bleeding will stop if pressure is applied for a long period of time. You can bite firmly on a cotton roll for at least 30 minutes. Do not chew on the placed cotton roll or suck on the extraction site. Do not rinse the extraction site as this could cause further bleeding.

The gums in the extraction site usually takes 3-4 weeks to heal and the bone can take months to heal completely. Pain should improve by the second day but it varies from person to person.

Antibiotics are not required but may be useful for patients with a low immune system. For patients who have heart conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, or artificial joints, a consultation with your doctor is necessary.

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot protecting the wound gets dislodged before the extraction site has been healed. This can happen when patients fail to follow instructions on treating the extraction site. Symptoms include severe pain and very bad breath. We treat dry socket by putting dressing in the wound and prescribing antibiotic and pain killers.

Not all extractions are preformed the same way. There are 2 kinds of extractions: Simple extractions that do not require an incision, and surgical extractions that require an incision and bone removal.

RCT is the process of repairing a severely cavitated or infected tooth and removal of the infected tooth nerve from the root canal. The canals are then cleaned, disinfected, and sealed by inert material.

An RCT is needed when the nerve of the tooth is infected or inflamed. This can be caused by caries (cavities), fractures, or trauma.

RCT is performed to minimize the pain of the affected tooth. Before we perform the RCT, we apply a local anesthetic that numbs the area. You may experience slight discomfort after the procedure due to inflammation of tissue around the tooth's root.

If an RCT is not performed on a tooth that needs one the tooth will begin to degrade into a serious infection and might need to be extracted.

A RCT treatment should last a lifetime with proper care such as routine oral hygiene and avoiding chewing hard foods or ice. An RCT could fail due to accessory canals or severe gum disease and the treated tooth must be covered by a crown.

Yes, an RCT treated tooth must be covered and protected by a crown.

Regular checkups are vital in preventing the need of a RCT and many other dental repairs. Dentists are able to detect teeth caries and cracks and treat them before their conditions get worse.

Yes! You would have to have a soft food diet until numbness goes away. A tooth treated with a RCT may be sore for a few days and it is best to avoid chewing it during this stage.

It depends on the dentist's discretion. The severity of the infection and other health statuses of the patient may effect if medication is needed. Medication used after an RCT are ibuprofen & amoxicillin.