At Ravenwood Dental, Dr. Ariba Memon and our team are committed to preserving your natural teeth whenever possible. But a tooth extraction in our St. Johns, IN office is sometimes necessary to protect your oral health. As part of your general dental care, we evaluate all options before recommending an extraction to ensure the best outcome for your smile.
If you have severe decay, infection, overcrowding, or impacted wisdom teeth, we provide comfortable and compassionate extraction services to address your needs. We understand that the idea of a tooth extraction can feel intimidating. Our team is here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Why a Tooth Extraction May Be Necessary
Teeth extractions are often a last resort treatment used only when a tooth cannot be saved through other means. Still, many patients experience relief from symptoms like tooth pain after we remove problem teeth. Dr. Memon may recommend an extraction for several reasons:
- Severe Tooth Decay or Damage: If a tooth is badly decayed or broken, and it cannot be fixed with a filling or crown, it may need to be removed. Keeping a severely damaged tooth can cause a lot of pain and lead to infection. Removing severely damaged teeth can also prevent injury to other teeth.
- Infection: Sometimes, an infection can spread deep inside a tooth and affect the tooth root and nearby bone. If a root canal treatment isn’t possible or doesn’t work, you may need an extraction. Removing the tooth can stop the infection from spreading to other teeth or tissues.
- Overcrowding: Some people have too many teeth or teeth that are too large for their mouth. This can cause the teeth to be crowded or crooked. Dr. Memon may suggest removing one or more teeth to make space before you get braces or other orthodontic treatment.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to grow in the mouth. Many times, they don’t have enough room to grow the right way. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, or damage to other teeth. A wisdom tooth extraction can prevent these problems and keep your mouth healthy.
If you need an extraction, Dr. Memon will thoroughly evaluate your oral health, discuss your options, and ensure you’re comfortable with the process. Please call Ravenwood Dental if you notice your wisdom teeth growing behind your molars or if you feel pain from a tooth. We can examine your mouth and may take digital X-rays to see if you need a tooth removed.
Tooth Extraction Treatment at Ravenwood Dental
Tooth extractions are generally straightforward procedures, and our team takes every measure to ensure your comfort throughout. Before the extraction, we’ll numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to prevent any pain during the procedure. For patients who feel anxious or need additional support, we also offer oral conscious sedation to help you stay relaxed.
Dr. Memon will gently loosen the tooth from its socket using specialized tools, then carefully remove it. For most patients, the process is quick and relatively painless. If you have a complex extraction, we’ll make a small incision to access the tooth. Once removed, we’ll provide detailed instructions for caring for the area to promote a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Aftercare and Recovery
After treatment, you want to take good care of the extraction site to prevent complications and support healing. We’ll give you specific post-extraction instructions. We recommend that you follow these tips after a dental extraction:
- Treat Discomfort: You might feel some soreness or notice swelling after the procedure. This is normal and should get better in a few days. You can take over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with the pain. Using a cold compress on your cheek during the first 24 hours can also help reduce swelling and make you feel more comfortable.
- Don’t Disturb the Site: Don’t touch the treated area with your fingers or tongue. Eat soft foods like yogurt, soup, or mashed potatoes for the first few days. Also, avoid drinking through a straw because the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot that’s protecting your nerves.
- Keep the Area Clean: Wait 24 hours before rinsing your mouth. After that, gently rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. We’ll provide a pipette to clean the extraction site. Our office will tell you when you can brush your other teeth, but be careful not to brush directly over the spot where your tooth was removed.
- Getting Plenty of Rest: Give your body time to rest. Avoid heavy lifting or hard exercise for at least a day or two after the procedure. We may recommend that you take time off work or school based on the type of sedation we provide.
Most patients heal well within a few days to a week. Following these aftercare steps can prevent complications and help you stay comfortable as you heal. Our office also welcomes you to call us if you have questions as you heal from your dental extraction.
What is Dry Socket?
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot does not form or dislodges from the extraction site. The blood clot is important because it protects the bone and nerves underneath while your mouth heals. Without it, the area can become exposed, leading to pain, swelling, and a longer healing time. You might also notice a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath.
By following our dentist’s instructions and taking care of the area, you can lower your chances of getting dry socket and help your mouth heal faster and more comfortably. If you have any questions or experience unusual pain or bleeding, please contact our office. We may prescribe medication if you develop dry socket to relieve your pain.
Schedule a Comfortable Tooth Removal Today
Don’t wait to treat infected or damaged teeth. Get professional tooth extraction treatment in our St. John, IN, dental office. Call Ravenwood Dental today at 219-365-9750. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Memon online.