Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted. Extractions are an available option at our patient. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including: tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable, problematic wisdom teeth or extraction of teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment. After your initial examination we can also provide you with digital radiographs and referral to a Oral Surgeon Specialist if required. Following a tooth extraction there are many replacement options available including dental implants, bridgework and dentures which can be discussed in detail at your next visit. Removal of wisdom teeth is the most successful treatment to combat the problems such as infection, pain, cysts, ulcers, cavities and damage to nearby molars associated with Wisdom Teeth. X-rays is required for free consultation This procedure can be done in our office but we can also provide specialist referral if required, along with copies of your radiographic records.
Instructions After Extraction
AFTER TOOTH REMOVAL
The removal of tooth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING extraction
The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a one hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. Vigorous mouth rinsing and/or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged. Take the prescribed pain medications as directed. Restrict your activities the day of extraction and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. Place ice packs to the sides of your face where the extraction was performed.
CAUTION: IF YOU SUDDENLY SIT UP OR STAND FROM A LYING POSITION YOU MAY BECOME DIZZY. IF YOU ARE LYING DOWN FOLLOWING EXTRACTION, MAKE SURE YOU SIT UP FOR ONE MINUTE BEFORE STANDING.
BLEEDING:
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following extraction. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes. To minimize further bleeding keep your head elevated and avoid sucking, spitting or disturbing the blood clots. If bleeding does not subside, call our office for further instructions
SWELLING:
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the extraction involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to extraction and eventual repair. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where extraction was performed. The ice packs should be placed intermittently while you are awake, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first one hour after extraction , Thirty-six hours following extraction, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the size of the swelling.
PAIN
medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen may suffice. For severe pain, take the pain medication prescribed as directed. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
DIET
After extraction clear liquids should initially be consumed. Drink from a glass and do not use straws. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You may start a soft cold diet ( example: ice cream, cold coffee, Smoothie , ice tee, milk shake, tuna salad, tuna sandwich ,Yogurt ,pudding , jello ,Potato salad.” no Juice or soda")and advance to a normal diet as you feel it can be tolerated. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of extraction. Return to a normal diet as soon as tolerated unless otherwise directed.
KEEP THE MOUTH CLEAN
Regular tooth brushing and flossing can start the day of extraction. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the two days following extraction.
ANTIBIOTICS
If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the medication as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or any other unfavorable reaction and contact our office immediately.
SUTURES: if Sutures are placed in the area of extraction to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged. This is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures usually dissolve in approximately one week.
COMPLICATIONS
You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. Slight elevation of temperature immediately following extraction is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever. You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You could get light headed from low blood sugar or medications. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute before getting up. Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots they are the bony walls which supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. If not, they can be removed by Dr. al-khouri. If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as Vaseline. Dry sockets can occur after extractions. A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain near the ear may occur one week following extraction. Call the office if this occurs.
The removal of tooth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING extraction
The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a one hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. Vigorous mouth rinsing and/or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged. Take the prescribed pain medications as directed. Restrict your activities the day of extraction and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. Place ice packs to the sides of your face where the extraction was performed.
CAUTION: IF YOU SUDDENLY SIT UP OR STAND FROM A LYING POSITION YOU MAY BECOME DIZZY. IF YOU ARE LYING DOWN FOLLOWING EXTRACTION, MAKE SURE YOU SIT UP FOR ONE MINUTE BEFORE STANDING.
BLEEDING:
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following extraction. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes. To minimize further bleeding keep your head elevated and avoid sucking, spitting or disturbing the blood clots. If bleeding does not subside, call our office for further instructions
SWELLING:
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the extraction involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to extraction and eventual repair. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where extraction was performed. The ice packs should be placed intermittently while you are awake, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first one hour after extraction , Thirty-six hours following extraction, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the size of the swelling.
PAIN
medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen may suffice. For severe pain, take the pain medication prescribed as directed. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
DIET
After extraction clear liquids should initially be consumed. Drink from a glass and do not use straws. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You may start a soft cold diet ( example: ice cream, cold coffee, Smoothie , ice tee, milk shake, tuna salad, tuna sandwich ,Yogurt ,pudding , jello ,Potato salad.” no Juice or soda")and advance to a normal diet as you feel it can be tolerated. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of extraction. Return to a normal diet as soon as tolerated unless otherwise directed.
KEEP THE MOUTH CLEAN
Regular tooth brushing and flossing can start the day of extraction. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the two days following extraction.
ANTIBIOTICS
If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the medication as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or any other unfavorable reaction and contact our office immediately.
SUTURES: if Sutures are placed in the area of extraction to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged. This is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures usually dissolve in approximately one week.
COMPLICATIONS
You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. Slight elevation of temperature immediately following extraction is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever. You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You could get light headed from low blood sugar or medications. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute before getting up. Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots they are the bony walls which supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. If not, they can be removed by Dr. al-khouri. If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as Vaseline. Dry sockets can occur after extractions. A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain near the ear may occur one week following extraction. Call the office if this occurs.