Tooth Extractions
Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in NJ with locations in Hackensack, Ridgewood, Westwood & Franklin Lakes
Our oral surgeons are tooth extraction specialists and will determine if you have a tooth that needs to be extracted. In some cases, we are able to preserve a tooth without extraction.
Why Are Teeth Extracted?
Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need to be removed because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom teeth) or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The extraction of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.
To avoid these complications, in most cases, we will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as the replacement of the extracted tooth with a dental implant.
Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?
Oral Surgeons are tooth extraction specialists and will determine if the tooth needs to be extracted. We will do everything we can to preserve your natural tooth, if that is an option.
The Extraction Process
At the time of extraction the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jaw bone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.
During the extraction process, you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.
You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.
If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.
Sectioning a tooth
Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.
After Tooth Extraction: Post Operative Care
Oral Surgery or the removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.
Here are some simple DO’S and DON’T’S following tooth extraction surgery:
Don’t spit, suck through a straw, or smoke the week following surgery
Don’t eat crunchy or spicy foods for 2 weeks following surgery (avoid nuts, granola, popcorn, or chips, etc)
Don’t touch wounds or sutures (with tongue, fingers, or utensils) as much as possible
Do hydrate well (sports drinks, fruit juices, water) the week following surgery
Do eat cold creamy foods (ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes without a straw) the day of surgery
Do rinse with warm salt water for 1-2 weeks beginning the day after surgery, especially after eating
Do use cold compresses for 2-3 days following surgery
1. BLEEDING CONTROL
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping away any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps form a clot. To minimize further bleeding, do not become excited, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call the office for further instructions.
Spitting, sucking through a straw, or smoking causes additional bleeding and should be avoided. If bleeding persists, call the office.
2. SWELLING
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery performed. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual healing. Swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until two to five days post-operatively.
Swelling can be controlled with ice and heat as follows:
- Ice: Two plastic bags filled with ice, or ice packs, should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be placed for 20 minutes, then removed for 20 minutes, continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect.
- Heat: If swelling or jaw stiffness persists for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery. Swelling and stiffness may be relieved by applying warm, moist heat to the jaws on the 4th or 5th day following surgery. Stiffness is often relieved by heat, chewing gum for short periods (15–20 minutes), and gentle stretching exercises beginning 5–6 days after surgery.
3. MOUTH CARE
Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 24 hours. Rinsing or brushing may dislodge the blood clot and interrupt the healing process.
After 24 hours, rinse your mouth gently with a warm salt-water solution (¼ teaspoon of salt in 8 oz. of warm water) after each meal and at bedtime. Teeth may be brushed gently, but avoid the surgical site(s).
Patients may feel hard projections in the mouth. These are the bony partitions that surrounded the roots of teeth, which will absorb or work themselves out.
If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Keep your lips moist with ointment such as Vaseline.
4. PAIN AND INFECTION CONTROL
It is normal to experience some discomfort following oral surgery. For minor discomfort, ibuprofen or Tylenol every 3–4 hours may be sufficient. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage.
If a prescription for pain medication was written for you, take it as directed.
⚠️ WARNING: Do not drive or operate machinery after taking prescription pain medication.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics for infection control, it is essential that you take them as directed until the prescription is completed.
- If you develop hives, rash, or diarrhea, discontinue all medication and immediately contact the office.
- Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.
5. DIET
Drink liquids after general anesthesia or sedation. Do not use straws, as sucking can dislodge the blood clot and cause bleeding.
You may eat any soft foods by chewing away from the surgical site(s). A high-calorie, high-protein diet is very important. Try to maintain a normal diet. Prevent dehydration by drinking at least five to six glasses of liquid daily. Try not to miss meals—you will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort, and heal faster if you continue eating.
⚠️ Caution: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position, you may become dizzy. Sit upright for at least one minute before standing.
6. NAUSEA
Pain medication can sometimes cause nausea. If nausea or vomiting occurs, do not take anything by mouth for at least one hour, including prescribed medication. Then, sip on stirred Coke, tea, or ginger ale slowly over 15 minutes.
Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. Begin with mild tea, broth, or soft foods before resuming your regular diet.
7. BRUISING
Depending on the procedure and the patient, facial discoloration may appear for 3–5 days after surgery. Black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is caused by blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is normal and should not cause concern. Moist heat applied to the area may help speed recovery.
8. NUMBNESS, TEMPERATURE, SORE THROAT
- Numbness: Numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue may occur. This is usually temporary and should not be cause for alarm.
- Temperature: A slight elevation in temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the fever persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen can reduce fever.
- Sore throat/pain when swallowing: This is common due to muscle swelling. It should resolve in 2–3 days.
- Jaw stiffness (trismus): Difficulty opening your mouth may occur but will resolve with time.
If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that reduced food intake may weaken you. Stop exercising if you feel lightheaded.
9. SUTURES
Some procedures require sutures to minimize bleeding and assist healing. If they become dislodged, simply remove them from your mouth and discard. Sutures are usually removed one week after surgery. Removal takes only a minute, requires no anesthesia, and causes no discomfort.
10. POST-OPERATIVE VISIT
Please return to the office for your follow-up visit as directed.
SAFE and SECURE MEDICINE DISPOSAL – Unused medications that remain in your medicine cabinet are susceptible to theft and misuse. To prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands, New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs urge you to properly dispose of your expired and unwanted prescription medicine at a nearby Project Medicine Drop location. DROP OFFS SIMPLE, ANONYMOUS AND AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY – 365 DAYS A YEAR, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Simply bring in your prescription and over-the-counter medications and discard them in an environmentally safe manner. Always scratch out the identifying information on any medicine container you are discarding. For a list of Project Medicine Drop locations, please visit www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop.
**NOTE: COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCIES IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
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