You may need an extraction if you have an infection in your tooth that is too deep for a root canal. You may also need to have a tooth extracted, or pulled, due to overcrowding in your mouth or if the tooth is not restorable. Some patients, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, cannot risk an infection and may need to have a tooth extracted if there is a suspected risk of one.
Many patients need their wisdom teeth (third molars) extracted if the teeth do not have enough room to grow, which results in an impacted tooth that leads to infection and pain. The wisdom teeth are the four adult teeth that are located in the very back of the mouth on both the top and the bottom. Sometimes, wisdom teeth extraction is recommended by our Encino dentist to prevent future problems even if there is no pain or infection.
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Before your tooth is pulled, the area is typically numbed with a local anesthetic. If your tooth is impacted, the bone tissue and gum that is covering the tooth will need to be cut away. After the tooth is extracted, stitches may be used to close the gums.
The bleeding will stop after a while of biting down onto a gauze pad.
Focus on gently rinsing with salt water and avoiding strenuous activity for 24 to 48 hours following your extraction to get healing off on the right start.
An ice pack on the outside of your face near the extraction site can help keep swelling down. We will suggest the best method of pain relief for you. After 24 hours, you will need to resume your normal dental care routine of brushing and flossing, so that you can keep your mouth clean.
Contact our dental office today to find how we can help you find relief from dental issues. At our dentist in Encino strives for conservative and minimally invasive methods whenever possible.
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What can I expect?
Before your tooth is pulled, the area is typically numbed with a local anesthetic. If your tooth is impacted, the bone tissue and gum that is covering the tooth will need to be cut away. After the tooth is extracted, stitches may be used to close the gums.
The bleeding will stop after a while of biting down onto a gauze pad.
How do I care for my mouth after an extraction?
Our dentist in Encino, Dr Sheila Mahooti, will provide you with specific instructions for your care at home while your extraction site heals. These instructions can vary according to how involved the extraction was, and which tooth was pulled. However, one of the most important aspects of healing is the formation of a blood clot to stop the bleeding. This clot needs to stay in place while the area heals. Sucking on straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing in the next couple of days can cause the clot to be dislodged. This is referred to as a dry socket, and it is very painful.
Focus on gently rinsing with salt water and avoiding strenuous activity for 24 to 48 hours following your extraction to get healing off on the right start.
An ice pack on the outside of your face near the extraction site can help keep swelling down. We will suggest the best method of pain relief for you. After 24 hours, you will need to resume your normal dental care routine of brushing and flossing, so that you can keep your mouth clean.
Contact our dental office today to find how we can help you find relief from dental issues. At our dentist in Encino strives for conservative and minimally invasive methods whenever possible. 
