Tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth and its roots from the socket in your jaw bone. Dr. M. Shoaib Khan always tries to preserve the tooth before recommending extraction, but this isn’t always possible.

You may need to have one or more teeth pulled in the following situations:

• To remove crowded teeth as preparation for orthodontic treatment.
• You have extra teeth that serve no useful purpose, such as the four wisdom teeth that may erupt between the approximate ages of 17 and 21.
• You have sustained severe damage to the tooth in an accident and Dr. Khan must remove the remainder of the tooth to make way for an implant or other type of restoration.
• Your tooth is so badly decayed that it can no longer be saved.
• You require the removal of teeth due to the effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or an organ transplant.

Simple and Surgical Tooth Extractions

A simple extraction means that Dr. Khan can visibly see the tooth. He will provide you with a local anesthetic before removing it, or if preferred, a sedative or another type of anti-anxiety medication. When he is unable to view the tooth or to feel it easily inside of your mouth, you will require a surgical extraction. This can happen when teeth have not fully erupted or they have broken off at the gum line. Because Dr. Khan is a certified oral surgeon in Arlington Heights, he can remove bone and gum tissue if required and break the tooth into pieces for easier extraction.

What to Expect Before, and After a Tooth Extraction

Before recommending the removal of a tooth or teeth, Dr. Khan will discuss your medical and dental history in addition to obtaining x-rays. You may need to take an antibiotic in advance of the procedure if you have a weakened immune system. He may also prescribe antibiotics to children or elderly patients or those who are undergoing a procedure that is longer than normal. You will have the opportunity to discuss your sedation preferences as well.

Bleeding is common after having a tooth removed. You will need to bite down on a piece of gauze for up to an hour after the extraction. This puts pressure on the area and encourages the blood to begin clotting. Applying a cold compress and lying with your face upwards will help to alleviate the pain at home. Over-the-counter pain medication is typically sufficient for a simple extraction, but Dr. Khan may prescribe a medication if you had a surgical tooth extraction.

You should not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after extraction and stick to a liquid or soft food diet. When chewing, keep food as far away from the extraction area as possible. Once 24 hours have passed, rinse the tooth socket with warm salt water after every meal and before going to bed at night.

Please contact our dental office in Arlington Heights, Illinois with additional questions about tooth extractions.