Simple Tooth Extractions

Dental work can be needed for a variety of reasons. At some point in either your life or your child’s life, a tooth extraction may be necessary, typically for different reasons.

In younger patients, a tooth extraction may be needed if the baby teeth aren’t falling out as they should. Your child’s baby teeth serve an important purpose, but if they are impeding the eruption of permanent teeth, the baby teeth may need to be removed to make room.

In adulthood, extractions are generally needed for a medical purpose. They may also need to be removed to accommodate a cosmetic or restorative procedure, such as a bridge or veneers.

Whatever the reason, the experienced dental team at Westgrove Dental is here to help. We provide simple tooth extraction procedures at our Westmont location.

What is a simple tooth extraction?

A simple tooth extraction is an easy and straight-forward procedure. Our general dentists perform simple extractions right in our Westmont office.

Simple extractions can be performed on visible teeth – that is, teeth that are above the gumline and not hidden below or impacted.

Our dentist will begin by numbing the surrounding area. Then, we will use what is called an elevator to gently loosen the tooth from its socket. Once the tooth is loosened enough, forceps will be used to extract the tooth.

This is typically a very easy procedure that won’t have much of a recovery time.

Preparing for a tooth extraction

To prepare for your extraction, our dentists will take X-rays and perform other tests or exams as needed. An X-ray is important proper to the extraction to ensure there are no issues that may impede the extraction. Patients should avoid smoking or using tobacco on the day of the extraction.

We will numb the area using a local anesthetic injection. For most patients, this is all that is needed, however, for those who are anxious, oral sedation or conscious sedation can be used.

What to expect after

We may prescribe pain medication to handle pain or discomfort after the extraction. It is normal to feel a bit of discomfort after an extraction procedure. Take prescribed medication or an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Ice packs can relieve swelling or pain. Please avoid spitting or using a straw during the first 24 hours as this can potentially cause a painful condition known as dry socket. If symptoms persist or worsen after a couple of days, please call our office.

No matter your reason for tooth extraction, our dental experts will ensure your procedure is safe, easy and as comfortable as possible.