Extractions Specialist
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Gregory Family Dental
Cosmetic & Family Dentist located in Kansas City, MO
You might need a tooth extraction to protect the health of your gums and your smile. Emile McLaurian, DDS, and the team at Gregory Family Dental have perfected and refined the tooth extraction experience to make it as comfortable and efficient as possible so that you can get back to your daily routine and avoid future dental problems. To make an appointment, call the office in Kansas City, Missouri, or book online today.
Extractions Q & A
What is tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is a dental surgical procedure to remove your tooth. This oral surgery is sometimes necessary when a tooth is severely decayed or damaged. Extractions are also performed when wisdom teeth are impacted and start to grow in an improper position.
The first step is an in-depth consultation with Dr. McLaurian to discuss the process in detail and what you can expect. While he might need to remove parts of your gums or bone to extract your tooth, most tooth extractions are completed in about 45 minutes.
Under anesthesia, Dr. McLaurian surgically removes your tooth and stitches the wound shut before using gauze pads to soak up the bleeding. Gregory Family Dental offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to ease and relax patients during the extraction procedure. You can go home once your anesthesia has worn off.
Depending on the numbing or anesthetic used, you might need to plan to have someone drive you home to make sure you’re comfortable and safe. The stitches typically dissolve in a few days.
Most people experience little to no pain during the recovery and the healing period is usually around three weeks.
Why would I need a tooth extraction?
Dr. McLaurian might recommend a tooth extraction if:
- You have a wisdom tooth that’s unable to grow in properly
- It looks like your tooth might cause dental problems in the future
- You have crowding or trauma
A tooth extraction might be a part of cosmetic procedures, such as treatments for gum disease or braces.
What can I expect after my tooth extraction?
After your tooth extraction, Dr. McLaurian places a gauze pack on the extraction site to decrease bleeding. Make sure you leave the gauze in place for at least 45 minutes. If the bleeding continues, remove the gauze and apply a damp, fresh gauze to the area. Experiencing a small amount of bleeding is normal. Your mouth heals itself and slowly forms a blood clot to fill in the bone where the tooth root was.
If you experience severe pain, vomiting or nausea, increased bruising or swelling, or heavier bleeding, contact Gregory Family Dental for prompt medical care.
It’s important that you continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual but avoid the teeth that are surrounding the healing socket to make sure you don’t irritate it while it heals. You should avoid mouthwash for the first few days, but you can gently rinse your mouth.
If you need a tooth extraction, call Gregory Family Dental today or book your visit online.
