Have an Emergency? NO PROBLEM.
While our teeth are meant to last a lifetime, certain situations require the removal of a tooth to protect your overall oral health. At Dickson Street Dental, we ensure your extraction process is smooth, comfortable, and focused on your long-term well-being. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, infection, or overcrowding, we’re here to help you through every step.
Extractions are typically recommended when other procedures aren’t viable solutions. Common reasons for removal include severe decay or infection, trauma or damage beyond repair, overcrowding or extra teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, and advanced periodontal disease.
We begin with a thorough examination, including X-rays, to determine whether an extraction is truly necessary. During your consultation, we’ll discuss all your payment options, including insurance coverage and payment plans.
Once confirmed, here’s what you can expect:
Anesthesia Options — We prioritise your comfort by offering the appropriate type of anesthesia, either local or general, which is used for more complex cases and puts you under for the procedure. This is typically done through a gas or injection.
The Extraction Process – After anesthesia is administered, we’ll carefully remove the tooth. For straightforward cases, the tooth is gently loosened and removed. Minor surgery may be required for more complicated extractions, such as wisdom teeth.
Post-Extraction Care – Once the tooth is removed, gauze is placed over the socket to help the blood clot and begin the healing process. Detailed aftercare instructions are provided, and we answer any questions you may have.
Proper aftercare is key to a smooth recovery. To manage pain, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications before the anesthesia wears off. Your dentist may prescribe additional medications, including antibiotics, for more complex extractions.
Stick to soft, cold foods for a few days and avoid using straws, as the sucking motion can dislodge the clot. Don’t smoke for at least 24-72 hours to reduce the risk of complications like dry socket.
If swelling occurs, apply ice packs to the area. In more complex cases, we may use self-dissolving stitches, which do not require removal.
Maintain your regular brushing routine, but be gentle near the extraction site. A saltwater rinse 24 hours after the procedure helps keep the area clean.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain or suspect you may need an extraction, don’t wait. Contact Dickson Street Dental today to schedule an appointment. Our caring team is here to guide you through the process and help you achieve a healthy, pain-free smile.
Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
Tooth extractions require surgery and may take you up to 2 weeks to recover. Immediately following your treatment, you may notice swelling on your cheeks which will subside over the next few days. Using a cold compress can help in reducing the swelling sooner.
Wisdom tooth extractions are carried out after a local anaesthetic has been administered. This makes the entire procedure painless. Once the anaesthesia wears off, you may feel some tenderness around the extraction site for a couple of days. A week is all it will take for the treated site to feel normal again.
Once your wisdom tooth has been extracted, the site needs time too heal. Any pressure felt due to habits such as drinking from a straw, brushing or rinsing vigorously, consuming carbonated drinks, etc. can delay the healing process. Further, refraining from drinking alcohol and smoking is also needed until your gums have had a chance to heal.
The time needed to carry out a wisdom tooth surgery depends on the complexity or the severity of the case. More often than not, the procedure is carried out within an hour.
After a wisdom tooth extraction, you can consume soft foods that don’t require chewing. These include ice creams and yoghurts. Liquids such as juices and smoothies can also be confused as long as you avoid using a straw. Other foods you can have that are easy to chew or swallow can be mashed potatoes, eggs, and soups.
With a wisdom tooth extraction requiring anaesthesia, it may take a while for you to become alert and have the aesthesia out of your system. We recommend having someone to accompany you in order to drive you home from the clinic.
