Extractions

Compassionate Care When You Need It Most

Put your fears about tooth extraction to rest. Our caring, compassionate team will ensure that your procedure is gentle and stress-free. We understand that nobody likes to hear that they need to have a tooth extracted. It’s enough just thinking about the procedure, but then you have to deal with a gap in your smile and the reduced self-confidence that goes with it.

But we would like to put your fears to rest. An extraction may seem like an intense experience, but with updated technology and the support of a gentle, compassionate team, it is really no more complicated than having a tooth filled. And when it’s time to talk about tooth replacement, we can discuss several options and find the one that fits your needs.

What Happens during an Extraction

When you arrive for your procedure, we will start by getting you comfortable with a blanket if you like. If you are anxious, we will be happy to provide oral sedation to help you relax the night before and day of procedure.

The next step is to ensure that your tooth is completely numb. We will apply a topical numbing gel to your gums, then Dr. Gonzalez will give you a comfortable injection of local anesthetic. We won’t start your procedure until we are sure that you won’t feel any discomfort while Dr. Gonzalez gently removes the tooth.

 

Post-Extraction Instructions

We recommend that you plan to take it easy for the rest of the day because the first 24 hours after extraction are critical for successful healing. 

Before you leave our office, we will provide you with instructions for at-home care, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Remove your gauze pad about an hour after your procedure.
  • To minimize swelling, elevate your head, and place an ice pack on your cheek on and off for 20 minutes.
  • Limit your diet to soft foods and noncarbonated beverages to avoid disturbing the extraction site.
  • Do not rinse, spit, smoke, or suck on a straw because doing so can dislodge the clot that is forming.
  • After the first 24 hours, you can begin rinsing with salt water to keep the area clean and aid healing.

We will check with you on the evening of your procedure to see how you’re doing, but if you have severe pain or bleeding, please call us right away.

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