Tooth Extraction

Nobody likes to hear that they need to have a tooth pulled—what we dentists call a tooth extraction. In fact, here at Westview Dental, your dentists in League City, TX, always try to save a compromised natural tooth whenever possible. However, severe gum disease, trauma, or decay sometimes necessitate a tooth extraction when other treatments cannot save the tooth. Here, we will discuss how to prepare and what to expect when you need a tooth pulled. We will also do everything possible to make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible for you.

Why Do I Need to Get a Tooth Pulled?

A tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure during which your dentist pulls the tooth out of its socket. Here at Westview Dental, we will consider all applicable restorative treatments for your tooth first. These treatments may include filling cavities or applying crowns.

If restorative treatments are not sufficient, an extraction may be necessary. This is a common outpatient procedure that usually requires a few days of rest and recovery afterward.

Dentists may recommend tooth extractions in the following situations:

Severe tooth decay damage that prevents any repair treatments

A trauma-fractured tooth

Severe periodontal disease (gum disease)

When teeth are impacted (an adult tooth does not grow into place, but remains trapped in the jawbone or below the gums, especially if the situation causes infection, swelling, or pain)

In cases of severe tooth crowding

In preparation for specialized orthodontic care (braces)

Preparing for a Tooth Extraction

If you have any dental injury, pain, bleeding, or suspected tooth infection, schedule an appointment to see your League City, TX dentists right away. During that appointment, we will diagnose the problem and see if there is any way to save the tooth. If tooth extraction is the best option for you, we will schedule an appointment as soon as possible to pull the tooth. We will also give you detailed instructions and ask about your medical history so that we can all prepare for the appointment. Some things to keep in mind:

We will ask you about medications and medical conditions that may affect the procedure.

We will discuss your sedation options.

If you choose sedation, you will need someone to accompany you to the appointment, so they can drive you home after the extraction.

Before the extraction, stock your fridge with soft foods like yogurt, pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and smoothies you can eat during the first couple of days.

For proper rest and recovery, you will need to clear your schedule for a few days after surgery.

What to Expect On The Day of Your Tooth Extraction

After checking in and making sure you have a ride home, we will get you settled for the extraction. After applying local anesthesia (and sedation if that is part of the plan), the dentist will use special tools to carefully loosen and remove the affected tooth. After the tooth is out, the dentist will disinfect the socket. If necessary, you may be given a bone graft to protect the jawbone. If incisions were made, you may also receive stitches if needed. The average tooth extraction surgery takes between 30 and 60 minutes, but it may take longer if the tooth is severely impacted or infected.

Planning for Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Recovering fully from tooth extraction surgery can take one to two weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. We will give you instructions to help you prepare, prescribe pain medications, and check in with you to make sure you’re healing well. In general, you will want to follow these healing guidelines after having a tooth pulled:

Plan to rest and relax, limiting all activities, including lifting heavy objects, for 24 to 48 hours.

Rest with your head propped up to help reduce swelling and allow the bleeding to stop.

Follow all prescription painkiller medication instructions correctly.

Follow all of the gauze replacement instructions your League City, TX dentist provides to encourage a blood clot to grow in the socket.

Ice the area for periods of 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off to reduce swelling.

Drink plenty of water, but do not drink from a straw. This can dislodge the clot, causing a painful condition called “dry socket”.

By following your dentist’s instructions, your extraction site will heal correctly, so you can resume normal activities within a week or two.

Tooth Extraction