Safe & Gentle Tooth-Removal With Dr. McCoy
Although we do everything we can to prevent it, there are certain situations when extracting a damaged tooth is the best option for your health. There are a variety of reasons why you may need to have a tooth removed, but some of the most common include:
- Extensive damage due to decay
- Severe physical trauma caused by an accident or a blow to the head
- When a primary tooth fails to come out on its own
- An impacted wisdom tooth
No matter the cause, Dr. McCoy and our team will gently extract the affected tooth, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the process. Once removed, we can replace the removed tooth with a dental implant or another tooth replacement option that will restore your smile, health, and confidence.
How an Extraction Can Help
Extracting a tooth is never ideal, but there are certain situations where you can benefit from it. For example, if your tooth is severely decayed, getting it removed will prevent the infection from spreading and causing further issues.
In cases like these, removing your tooth actually protects you from further health issues in the future. This saves you time and money in the long run, in addition to helping you avoid painful conditions.
Emergency Tooth Extraction
In some cases, a tooth may need to be extracted unexpectedly. This may be necessary if you experience dental trauma and the tooth’s damage is too severe to be saved by Dr. McCoy. In this instance, we can offer you emergency dental care to extract your tooth and ensure good oral health.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Another common type of tooth extraction is for your wisdom teeth. These well-known third set of molars typically grow in as our mouths continue to develop into their adult stage. Wisdom teeth will often grow in impacted, which affects your surrounding teeth and need to be removed.
Dr. McCoy can extract your wisdom teeth in a simple, single-day visit to our Glen Mills office. Using any necessary sedation, the procedure is done comfortably and efficiently for your convenience.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Once we’ve extracted a damaged or decayed tooth, the aftercare for it is crucial so it doesn’t get infected. It’s common to experience pain or sensitivity, so it’s best to take OTC medication to help, or Dr. McCoy may prescribe you with other painkiller medications.
When attending to the area where we extracted your tooth, we recommend that you:
- Rest for 24 hours following the operation and limit your activity for the next couple of days
- Don’t rinse, spit, or use a straw
- Rinse your mouth with a salt solution
- Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time to the outside of your mouth
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
- Continue brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent infection
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a tooth extraction take?
The tooth extraction procedure is generally done very quickly and within just one visit here at our Glen Mills dental office. After Dr. McCoy administers sedation to relax you, the surgical process lasts up to an hour, unless more than one tooth needs to be removed.
If you have multiple teeth that need to be extracted, it can take several hours depending on the case.
What do I do after a tooth extraction?
After your tooth is pulled by Dr. McCoy, we recommend that you take any prescribed painkillers we provide you with, get plenty of rest, follow a soft food diet, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, apply ice to the area, and use gauze pads for bleeding. This will help make your recovery much easier and quicker.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
Following your tooth extraction appointment, you may be able to eat about an hour afterward. However, be sure to be cautious and only eat foods that are soft or drink liquids for the first 24 hours. This will prevent the area from being infected by hard food particles.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
During your initial recovery from tooth extraction, you should take at least 48-72 hours to relax just to make sure everything goes smoothly. After that, you’ll be able to return to normal physical activity. It’s good to know that the soft tissue that was performed on won’t fully heal in about 3-4 weeks.
Is a tooth extraction painful?
Here at Progressive Dentistry, Sleep & Wellness, we offer sedation to help reduce pain for your tooth extraction procedure and minimize post-op discomfort. When you come in for your appointment, ask about our options so we can ensure we deliver you with the best treatment possible.
We’ll Do What’s Best for Your Smile
If you have a tooth that needs to be removed, Dr. McCoy will make sure the procedure is carried out safely and effectively. We’ll explain your aftercare instructions in detail and answer any questions you have about the extraction process. To learn more, call our office in Glen Mills at (610) 358-5690 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. McCoy.