Surgical Tooth Extractions
Houston, TX
 We all want to keep our teeth for a full lifetime, but sometimes circumstances dictate that a tooth extraction is recommended for the good of one’s oral health. Tooth extractions are the most common dental treatment in the U.S. While this procedure is easy in most cases, you should treat an oral surgery as you would any other surgery. It’s in your best interest to prepare yourself to get through the process without complications and follow post-operative instructions to have a fast recovery.
Today, we at Alexandra Garcia, DDS, MS will be educating you on what is involved in the procedure, what preparations to make, and what post-operative guidelines to follow. If you or a loved one believe you may need a tooth extraction and have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment to discuss your case, please call us at (346) 250-2930.
When Are Tooth Extractions Needed?
When a dental x-ray is taken to examine your tooth, Dr. Garcia can tell from this whether an extraction should be recommended as well as whether it will be simple or surgical. Wisdom teeth, for instance, commonly need to be extracted surgically because they’re most often impacted (not fully erupted), which is a condition that requires cutting through bone and gum tissue to access them. Other circumstances in which surgical extractions may be necessary include:
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Removing teeth damaged beyond repair
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Root tips
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Teeth with long curved roots
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Teeth surrounded by bone that has become too dense
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Joint issues in one’s jaw
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Misaligned teeth (malocclusion)
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Baby teeth that haven’t fallen out
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The need to create more space for other teeth (Ex- When a patient is getting braces) |
Steps to Prepare for Surgical Extraction
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Discuss your surgery in detail. Leave nothing unspoken. Ask questions, even those you believe may be silly or embarrassing. If you have anxieties such as about the anesthesia being used, share them. If you have a health condition, are taking any medication (prescription or otherwise), or are scheduled for another procedure we don’t know about, speak up. The more information we have, the more we can use to make your experience safer and more comfortable.
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Dr. Garcia will obtain your complete medical and dental history (medications you currently take or are allergic to, vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter drugs, etc).
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We will take an x-ray in order to assess the most efficient way of removing the affected tooth.
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You may need to take antibiotics before or after the procedure, depending on how long the surgery will take or whether you have certain medical conditions. This will all be discussed beforehand if necessary.
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Plan ahead for transportation. Make sure a friend, loved one, or neighbor is there to take you home on the day of surgery once treatment is finished. If this is not possible, do not attempt to drive yourself no matter how confident you feel. Even local anesthesia can impair your reflexes, however slightly, and affect your performance. Do not use a taxi or other transportation service until after we’ve confirmed you are in safe condition to leave. |
What Happens on the Day of Surgery?
When the extraction begins, we will numb the area around your tooth or teeth that are being removed (specifically the jaw-bone and surrounding gum tissue) with a local anesthetic. It’s normal for you to feel much pressure, as the affected tooth will first be loosened for removal, but not pain. If any pain or discomfort is felt, please notify us immediately so additional numbing may be applied.
Bone Loss
It is totally normal to experience bone loss after surgery. Just as muscles require stimulation from exercise, your bone needs stimulation from the pressure and force of your teeth. When a tooth is missing or removed, the jaw-bone no longer has the stimulation to maintain its shape and bulk. Thus, it collapses over time. This occurs most quickly during the first year after extraction, specifically in the back of the upper jaw.
Post-operative Instructions
Once the surgery is completed, you must follow these instructions to the letter for proper recovery:
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Bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes to halt the bleeding.
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Avoid talking unless necessary.
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Avoid eating or drinking anything for the first two hours after surgery.
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When bleeding has stopped, and you can drink, only do so with lukewarm or cold liquids.
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Keep up your diet, but only consume clear liquids and soft foods for the first day.
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Do not rinse, floss, or brush your teeth for the first 12 hours.
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When you can brush, avoid the surgical area and gently rinse only with a diluted mouthwash or ¼ teaspoon of table salt in lukewarm water.
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Avoid straws when drinking until the bleeding has stopped.
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Follow the instructions from Dr. Garcia on what prescribed pain medications to use.
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Call us if you experience any persisting pain or bleeding. |
Preparing for Dental Implants
If you plan on getting dental implants after an extraction to replace your lost tooth, here are some steps:
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Use an antibacterial mouthwash to minimize germs.
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Take any antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Garcia.
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Eat a nutritious breakfast unless an IV sedation is used. In such cases, you shouldn’t eat anything after midnight the evening before your appointment.
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As with prepping for surgical extraction, organize transportation ahead of time.
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Clear your schedule for the rest of the day. While you shouldn’t feel any pain after having your new implant applied, there will be some discomfort. The best course to heal quickly is with rest. |
Remember, for any questions you or a loved one may have about surgical extractions or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia, call us today at (346) 250-2930.
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