There are plenty of reasons why you may need to have a tooth removed. Sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary to restore over-crowded teeth, and other times it’s because a tooth is severely damaged or infected.
With today’s advanced techniques and technology, you don’t have to worry about pain or a lengthy recovery. At Dow’s Lake Dental, our tooth extractions are safe and comfortable.
Reasons For Tooth Extractions
Most tooth extractions are performed on teeth that are severely damaged, improperly aligned, or impacted. Unfortunately, sometimes extractions are required to avoid more serious complications. For example, when your wisdom teeth erupt, they can cause serious oral health problems including infection, impaction, misalignment, and damage to neighbouring teeth.
In other cases, severely infected or decayed teeth may also need to be extracted. We’ll make every attempt to save your tooth with more conservative approaches such as root canal therapy. However, sometimes a tooth extraction is the only way to restore your oral health.
Our Tooth Extraction Process
During a tooth extraction procedure, Dr. El-Hawary will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. If you’re having wisdom teeth removed or more than one tooth extracted, we may recommend dental sedation.
Once the tooth is removed, Dr. El-Hawary will have you bite down on a cotton pad to help stop the bleeding and encourage the formation of a blood clot. Depending on your individual needs, sutures may be needed to close the socket.
Aftercare Following the Extraction Procedure
In addition to following any guidelines provided by Dr. El-Hawary, there are a few ways you can ensure a quick and safe healing period, including,
- Eat soft, room temperature foods
- Apply ice to help reduce pain and swelling
- Take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen
We’ll also educate you on tooth replacement options so you can enjoy a healthy and complete smile again soon.
if patient is experiencing pain, they should contact the office right away (
Common Questions About Tooth Extractions
On average, a tooth extraction takes 20 to 40 minutes per tooth, with the recovery period typically taking seven to 10 days. If you undergo an extraction and are planning on receiving a restoration, you will have to wait six to eight weeks for the swelling to diminish. Your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate estimate as to how long your procedure will take.
Tooth extractions are minimally painful since your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area beforehand. During your initial consultation, Dr. El-Hawary will go over your options for dental sedation with you to help ease your anxiety and discomfort. While you may experience some mild discomfort following the procedure, this can be treated with an ice pack and over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen.
Your dentist, Dr. El-Hawary will provide you with specific guidelines and instructions on how to care for the extraction site after your tooth is removed. To promote healing and help protect the surgical site, we generally recommend:
- Avoiding strenuous exercise
- Refraining from smoking or using a straw for 72 hours post op
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and applying an ice pack
- Chewing your food away from the extraction site
- Limiting your diet to only soft foods
- Avoiding drinks that are carbonated, caffeinated, or alcoholic
If you experience any green or yellow pus in the area, have a fever, or the area becomes warm to touch, chances are your extraction site has become infected. If your extraction site becomes infected, contact our Ottawa office right away by calling
Restore Your Oral Health With a Gentle Tooth Extraction
At Dow’s Lake Dental, we’ll ensure your tooth extraction is a smooth and gentle experience. For more information about our extraction process, contact our office to schedule a consultation by calling