Is the thought of a tooth extraction daunting? At Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we make it our mission to ensure patients feel comfortable during treatment. As part of our general dentistry services, we provide a wide range of care, including tooth extraction treatment in our Raleigh, NC, office, to maintain your oral health.
Our three Carolina-trained dentists provide comfortable, professional tooth extractions. Dr. Claudel Giggey, Dr. Cynthia Elderkin, and Dr. Olivia Smith will work with you to get comfortable care using the latest techniques.
While many patients may think extractions are painful, we provide local anesthetic and sedation, depending on the type of extraction. After we remove problem teeth for our patients, they no longer feel pain or discomfort due to those teeth.
Signs You Need a Tooth Extraction
Knowing when you might need a tooth extraction is important for maintaining your oral health. Here are some common signs that indicate you may need to have a tooth removed:
- Severe Tooth Pain: One of the most obvious signs that you may need a tooth extraction is severe tooth pain. This pain can come from a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. If over-the-counter pain relief isn’t helping, it might be time to see a dentist.
- Infection or Abscess: An infection in or around the tooth can lead to the formation of an abscess, which is a pus-filled pocket. Symptoms of an abscess include swelling, redness, and a bad taste in your mouth. If you notice these signs, see a dentist immediately, as an abscess can lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, making them loose. If your teeth feel wobbly or have moved out of their normal position, you may need to have them extracted. Because gum disease affects the tissue that supports your teeth, you can experience tooth loss.
- Overcrowded Teeth: Sometimes, a dentist may recommend extraction for overcrowded teeth, especially before braces. Removing one or more teeth can create space. It helps the remaining teeth align.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth often don’t have enough space to come in properly, leading to impaction. Extraction may be necessary if your wisdom teeth are causing pain, swelling, or infection. Many patients have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent overcrowding.
- Fractured Tooth: We may recommend extraction if a tooth is broken or fractured beyond repair. Removing a severely damaged tooth can prevent further pain. It can also prevent damage to other teeth.
We also offer emergency tooth extractions in Raleigh. Call 919-295-0936 if you have a dental emergency and need a same-day extraction.
Tooth Extraction Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Our dental office can perform simple extractions, which remove teeth above the gum line. More complex extractions remove teeth at or below the gum line. While simple extractions only require local anesthesia, complex extractions may use dental sedation and anesthesia. To learn more about sedation options, see Sedation Dentistry.
After your extraction treatment, we recommend that you keep the extraction site clean. Follow a soft diet for several days after treatment and keep gauze at the extraction site as it heals. A blood clot will form to protect the site as it heals.
Our dentists will recommend dental implants to replace the teeth after healing if we removed permanent teeth that aren’t wisdom teeth. Dental implants are permanent restorations that fuse to the jaw bone to replace single teeth or hold bridges and dentures in place.
Patient Review
When Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth typically emerge in your late teens or early twenties. Dr. Elderkin has been removing wisdom teeth for Raleigh families since 1989 and can evaluate whether yours need extraction.
If your wisdom teeth grow, you can experience these common wisdom teeth problems:
- Impaction (can’t fully emerge through gums)
- Crowding other teeth
- Growing at wrong angle
- Causing pain, swelling, or infection
- Difficult to clean, leading to decay
Dr. Elderkin, Dr. Smith, or Dr. Giggey will take X-rays to evaluate your wisdom teeth position and recommend extraction if they’re causing problems or likely to cause problems in the future.
Many patients choose to remove wisdom teeth before problems develop, especially before orthodontic treatment. Our team can advise whether preventive removal makes sense for you or your teen.
How to Heal After Tooth Removal
After your tooth extraction in our Raleigh, NC office, our dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site. Bite down gently on the gauze for about 30 to 60 minutes to help stop the bleeding. If bleeding continues, change the gauze as needed. Follow these tips as you heal at home:
Manage Pain and Swelling
After the tooth removal, you might feel some pain or swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
Eat Soft Foods and Stay Hydrated
For the first few days, stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Avoid crunchy or hard foods that might irritate the extraction site. Also, try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
Drink plenty of water, but avoid using straws. The suction from a straw can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket, leading to complications like dry socket.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
After the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help keep the area clean. Be careful not to swish too hard, because this can impact the healing process.
Keep an eye on the extraction site. If you notice increased pain, swelling, or a bad taste in your mouth, contact our office. These could be signs of infection or other issues, like dry socket. Dry socket is a painful problem that happens if the blood clot that forms over the extraction site does not form or is dislodged.
FAQs
Will my tooth extraction hurt?
No. Dr. Elderkin, Dr. Smith, or Dr. Giggey will numb the area completely with local anesthesia before beginning. You’ll feel pressure during the extraction, but no pain. For anxious patients, we offer sedation options that help you relax.
How long does recovery take?
Most patients feel back to normal within 3-7 days. Initial healing of the extraction site takes about 1-2 weeks, while complete bone healing takes several months.
Our team provides detailed aftercare instructions and is available if you have concerns during recovery.
Can I go to work after a tooth extraction?
Most patients can return to work the next day after a simple extraction. For wisdom teeth or complex extractions, you may want to take 2-3 days off. Dr. Elderkin, Dr. Smith, or Dr. Giggey will give you specific guidance based on your procedure.
Contact Our Dental Office
Are your wisdom teeth erupting? Do you have an infected tooth that needs to be removed? Call Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 919-295-0936. You can also schedule a dental consultation with us online.
We provide comfortable tooth extractions in Raleigh, NC. We’re proud to serve patients throughout Wake County, including North Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and surrounding communities.