Tooth Extraction at Lafayette Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics
The team at Lafayette Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics provides a wide range of dental care services. Its dentists are dedicated to beautifying patients’ smiles and ensuring their oral health. They offer dental fillings, dental implants, porcelain veneers, and more.
The practice offers general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services for residents in Lafayette and nearby communities. Its doctors have advanced training in dental implant restoration and periodontics.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction Lafayette LA is a dental service that removes a damaged, infected, or decayed tooth from its socket in the jawbone. It is a common procedure that can be performed by our dentists or oral surgeons with local anesthesia and sedation. It may be necessary to prevent complications like overcrowding, infection, or impacted wisdom teeth.
Before the procedure, we will numb your gums with a substance applied to or injected near the extraction site. You will also receive sedation or general anesthesia to ensure you do not feel any pain.
After the procedure, you will be asked to bite on a piece of gauze for about an hour to create firm pressure and stop bleeding. You should not rinse, spit, or use straws to avoid prolonging the bleeding. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. If you are experiencing excessive pain, contact our office for follow up. You can discuss replacement options for the tooth during these follow-up visits.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
A surgical tooth extraction Lafayette LA involves removing a badly decayed, broken, or impacted (wisdom) tooth. The procedure requires a local anesthetic and sedation if needed to make it comfortable.
During the procedure, a dentist will loosen the tooth with dental forceps, then extract it with dental tools. A person may experience some pain, bleeding, and swelling afterward, but the dentist will give them medicine to help relieve it.
A patient should bite down on a piece of dry, sterile gauze for up to 30 minutes following the procedure to limit bleeding and encourage clotting at the tooth socket. It is important to avoid sucking on straws, smoking, or brushing the teeth next to the site until it heals. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day can keep the area clean and prevent infection. A person should also take any prescribed pain medications as directed. The numbness from the local anesthesia should wear off within a few hours.
Simple Tooth Extraction
There are many reasons your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction. For example, severe decay or damage might be too extensive for a root canal and crown to repair. Tooth removal can also be recommended when your teeth are overcrowded; pulling one or more teeth can help to relieve the pressure on the remaining ones, helping them to straighten and align properly.
Your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic before removing your tooth. In some cases, however, a surgical extraction may require intravenous anesthesia or even general anesthesia. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and stay with you until the effects of the anesthesia wear off.
Once the tooth is removed, the dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site and ask you to bite down gently to reduce bleeding and help clot formation. It’s important to follow your dentist’s post-operative care instructions for the best recovery, including avoiding smoking, vigorous rinsing or cleaning and eating soft foods that don’t include the extraction site.
How Do I Prepare for a Tooth Extraction?
Losing teeth as a child is exciting and usually brings high-fives from other kids and cash from the tooth fairy. As an adult, losing teeth is less fun and often causes pain and anxiety. A dental extraction in Lafayette is a common procedure that can be necessary for various reasons, including overcrowding or severe tooth decay.
Before your appointment, talk to your dentist about the procedure and any concerns you have. It’s important to be honest and give your full medical history to prevent complications from developing. For example, some medications should be stopped before a dental extraction because they can cause bleeding problems.
After the procedure, follow your dentist’s instructions for recovery. For instance, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth and avoid using a straw or smoking as these activities can disturb a blood clot that aids healing. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort. Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments so your dentist can monitor your recovery and offer guidance.