Tooth
Extraction

Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure performed when a tooth cannot be saved or poses a risk to surrounding teeth and tissues. Some of the most frequent reasons for extraction include:

• Chronic infections, such as a dental cyst, when the affected tooth and cyst must be removed to prevent the infection from spreading;
• Advanced stage of caries, when the walls of the tooth “fall apart” and the tooth itself cannot be restored;
• Complications of treatment with periodontal diseases, when the tooth wobbles too much in the socket and may fall out due to periodontitis;
• Removal of fragments, roots or chips of the tooth after injuries or unprofessional treatment, as they can cause serious inflammation;
• Wisdom tooth removal is a separate major reason, they are removed due to incorrect position and eruption or constant inflammation.

Once the operation is over, you need to follow certain rules for oral care after tooth extraction.

Before the procedure, the dentist carefully examines the patient’s oral cavity and inquires about the presence of concomitant diseases and drug allergies. Sometimes, additional examinations or consultations with related specialists (traumatologist, facial surgeon, orthodontist) are prescribed.

The dentist then administers local anesthesia for a painless procedure. For optimal surgical access, the doctor gives the patient the necessary position. When extracting teeth in the upper jaw, the patient sits in a dental chair with the back reclined. The chair is raised so that the tooth being extracted is at the level of the doctor’s shoulder joint. When extracting lower teeth, the chair is lowered.

Then, the dentist fixes the tooth with special pliers, extracts it, and places a cotton swab on the tooth socket to stop the bleeding.

Removing impacted teeth has its own characteristics. Due to the surrounding tissues, normal access to them is difficult, so after anesthesia, the doctor makes a special incision in the gum over the area of ​​the unerupted tooth and removes it in whole or in parts. After stopping the bleeding and conducting an additional examination, the surgeon applies stitches.

After completing all manipulations, the doctor again conducts a thorough examination of the damaged area, gives recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle, and, if necessary, sets a date for a follow-up visit to monitor the patient’s health and remove the stitches. This usually occurs 7-10 days after tooth extraction.

Wisdom tooth removal

You can often come across the fact that dentists, especially those of the Western school, recommend removing third molars – “wisdom teeth” before they erupt or immediately after. They argue that the last teeth are not needed for the full functioning of the human dental system, but are located far away and create more problems than they bring benefits.

You need to remove a “wisdom tooth” if:

• It erupts with difficulty, has an inflamed “hood,” and injures the cheek.
• There are difficulties with treating a wisdom tooth affected by caries or pulpitis.
• There is no room in the jaw for the wisdom tooth to erupt, and its appearance provokes a forward displacement of the teeth and the appearance of crowding.
• The wisdom tooth presses on neighboring teeth, thereby provoking caries.

At Dentist of Aventura, we specialize in same-day tooth extractions for broken, infected, or rotten teeth at affordable cost. Whether you need a premolar pulled or are exploring alternatives like a root canal, our expert team provides personalized care at a price that fits your budget.

Let’s consider what you can do after tooth extraction and what you should avoid. These recommendations include:

1. After the procedure itself, stay in the clinic for 20-30 minutes and rest, if additional complaints arise (intensive, continuous bleeding from the tooth socket for more than 10 minutes, dizziness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness), immediately consult a doctor;
2. Do not eat or drink for 2 hours and alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure;
3. In case of severe pain, you can take a painkiller;
4. Postpone driving for 24 hours;
5. Exclude hard, spicy, hot, and cold foods from your diet for several days;
6. Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic solution after each meal for a week;
7. Avoid overheating the body (bath, sauna, tanning) and intense physical activity for 3 days, as this can provoke renewed bleeding;
8. Brush your teeth carefully, and avoid traumatizing the socket with a toothbrush.

After tooth extraction, the healing process takes 5-7 days and depends on various factors:

Also, the damaged area may remain painful and swollen for some time; body temperature may rise to 37.5 °C, and sore throat and discomfort when opening the mouth. Usually, these symptoms disappear by the third day. 

Schedule Your Appointment 

Contact us now! Tooth extraction doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. With the right care and support, it’s a straightforward procedure that can greatly improve your oral health and quality of life. Contact the Dentist of Aventura in Hollywood, Hallandale, Ojus, North Miami, and Sunny Isles to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.

During the first 24 hours after tooth extraction surgery, most patients take painkillers, either prescribed by the dentist or oral surgeon or over–the–counter anti–inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Applying a cold compress or cold pack to the face or jaw will help constrict blood vessels, preventing and reducing swelling as well as reducing pain.

And what about eating and drinking? Tooth extraction is no cause for fasting during the first 24 hours, but stick to a liquid diet while your mouth is still numb so you don’t accidentally bump the wound. Once the feeling is back in your mouth, unless otherwise instructed by your dentist or oral surgeon, it’s OK to eat soft foods such as puddings, oatmeal and mashed potatoes, and liquids during the first few days after the procedure. After that, it’s fine to return to solid foods.

After the first 24 hours pass, most patients continue to take pain relievers, but typically after the first three days or so there is no longer a need for any prescription painkillers. Over–the–counter anti–inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can control pain and lingering swelling for several days after the extraction.

Rinsing with warm salty water may also help to reduce pain and swelling, but to avoid disrupting the formation of the blood clot, wait to do so until after the first 24 pass, then rinse gently several times a day. It’s also OK to brush and floss your teeth as well, but be extra careful to avoid the area of the tooth extraction as well as any stitches. While some extractions require stitches, some do not, and while some stitches dissolve as the wound heals, over one to two weeks, others will need to be removed at a follow–up visit to the dentist.