Healing After Having Tooth Extraction
While dentists prefer to repair teeth and retain as much of a patient’s healthy tooth or teeth as possible, there are times in which a patient’s tooth or teeth cannot be saved. There are also times in which redundant teeth need to be removed to ensure the patient’s ongoing oral health.
Once the extraction process is complete, the patient will need to undergo an important healing process to ensure the health of the area in which the tooth was removed. Below is more information about what tooth extraction is, why it may be necessary and what the healing process looks like once a tooth has been removed.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth by a dentist to ensure the patient’s oral health. Sometimes a tooth or teeth are removed because the tooth or teeth are damaged, while other times teeth need to be removed because they pose a threat to healthy teeth.
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction?
There are a few main reasons for the removal of a tooth. The first is injury. If a tooth has been damaged due to an accident and is now cracked or loose, it may need to be pulled. Another reason is decay and/or infection. If a tooth is too severely decayed or infected to save, it will need to be removed. Finally, there are wisdom teeth, which are unnecessary and can pose a threat to a patient’s healthy teeth.
Emergency Tooth Extraction
If a patient is injured and has a loose or damaged tooth, or if a patient is experiencing extreme pain, they may need to undergo an emergency tooth extraction. This service is provided by an emergency dentist. An emergency dental procedure is generally performed within 24 hours of when the patient contacts the dentist.
What Is the Extraction Process Like?
The tooth extraction process involves a dentist either pulling a tooth directly with special equipment, or performing a surgery to remove the tooth. Both procedures will involve some form of anesthesia to reduce pain. From there, the dentist will cut into the gums (if necessary) and remove the tooth or teeth.
Healing After a Tooth Extraction
Once a tooth is pulled, there will be a healing process. This will involve the healing of the gums, as well as the healing of the jaw’s bone tissue. The full healing process can take upwards of 6 to 8 months.
While you will want to take special care of the area for the first day or two, you will be able to resume biting, chewing and other activities soon after the extraction. You’ll also need to wait at least 72 hours after the procedure to begin smoking again.
If you have any questions about the healing time of your specific procedure, and/or aftercare, make sure to speak with your dentist before the procedure. They will walk you through how to properly take care of the extraction area while it heals.
Contact Lansdowne Dental Care for an appointment today regarding healing after tooth extractions in Leesburg, VA.
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