Extractions in Bolingbrook, IL

An extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. There are several types of extractions, including simple extraction, surgical extraction, and impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth is a wisdom tooth that doesn’t have room to grow in the mouth. Such a tooth can’t break through your gums and often causes an infection.

Why might I need an extraction?

Some common reasons for extractions include:

• Broken or cracked teeth
• Severely crowded teeth
• Severely decayed teeth
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Orthodontic treatment

How are extractions performed?

You will meet with your dentist to discuss your options for extractions. While extractions can be performed in any dental office, it is often performed in an oral surgery office. This is because oral surgery involves sedation, which many dental offices may not provide.

If you are sedated, your dentist will administer nitrous oxide or IV sedation. The sedation medication will help you feel relaxed and sleepy. If your extraction is being performed to remove wisdom teeth, the sedation medication will also prevent pain and help you feel calm.

What should I expect after extraction?

After your extraction, we will encourage you to follow certain postoperative care instructions. These guidelines will help you recover properly.

For the first 24 hours:

• Avoid eating hot foods or drinking through a straw.
• You may feel slightly uncomfortable, but you can control any discomfort using your prescription pain medication.
• Avoid spitting or drinking through a straw.
• You may experience some bleeding, and we will provide you with gauze.
• If you experience excessive bleeding, please call us.
• Use an ice pack to manage swelling.

After 24 hours:

• Resume eating soft foods.
• Resume brushing your teeth, but avoid the extraction site.
• Resume using mouthwash, but avoid the extraction site.
• You can continue using your ice pack to manage swelling.
• Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
• Take your prescribed pain medication as needed.

How can I prepare for an extraction?

Before your extraction, we will numb your tooth and surrounding gums with a topical anesthetic. For tooth extractions, our dentist will first grasp the tooth with forceps and gently rock it back and forth to remove it from the socket. If the tooth is particularly stubborn, a dental drill may aid in the process.

Once the tooth has been successfully extracted, a blood clot usually forms in the socket. This clot protects the bone and nerves from infection. Once the clot forms, it is important not to disturb it. Avoid drinking from a straw, rinsing your mouth vigorously, or smoking. Instead, use lukewarm salt water to rinse your mouth. To alleviate any pain or discomfort after your extraction, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. 

To find out more about the dental services offered at Solace Dental, call Dentist Bolingbrook IL at (630) 759-3595 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 287 N Weber Rd, Bolingbrook, IL, 60490.