Tooth Extractions

Unfortunately, sometimes tooth extractions are necessary due to severe decay, injury, extreme pain, or other factors. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth that can’t be saved with a root canal, our dentist may suggest getting an extraction. We can extract teeth quickly and efficiently with minimum discomfort. We also offer an array of sedation dentistry techniques to help you feel completely relaxed during the treatment. In addition to the tooth extraction, a socket graft procedure, which adds a layer of grafted bone in the area where the tooth was removed, may be recommended to help prepare your gums for a dental implant, if desired.

Both of our dentists are extremely qualified at performing tooth extractions and will carefully examine your mouth during your consultation before making a recommendation. If an extraction is required, our dentists will develop a personalized treatment plan with a variety of possible tooth replacement options that can give you beautiful, natural-looking teeth. We will be happy to answer all your questions and explain each step of the process.

Tooth Extraction Candidates

You may be a potential candidate for a tooth extraction if you have wisdom teeth – or third molars – that are impacted, misaligned, or non-functional. Patients needing dentures who have a few compromised teeth remaining on an arch may also be candidates for extractions. Those with damaged teeth that are beyond repair, and those with teeth that are crowded or blocking new teeth from erupting, may also benefit from a tooth extraction.

The Tooth Extraction Process

Your dentist will start the tooth extraction process with a thorough oral examination and ask questions about your previous medical history. Please let us know if you take medications or have issues with excessive bleeding.

For the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction we advise you to consume a soft diet and not to: use straws, spit, rinse, smoke, drink alcohol, or eat very hot food. Following these instructions, along with using ice and medication, can help your empty gum socket heal. If you notice your gum socket is dry, please contact our office for further instructions. Our dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth gently with saltwater 24 hours after your extraction. You should also be able to return to your usual oral hygiene routine at that time; however, you should avoid the empty socket and the adjacent teeth until the area has had time to heal.

Contact Our Bethesda Practice

For more information on our dental extraction process, or to make an appointment with one of our experienced dentists, please contact us today.