Tooth Extractions

Remove Troublesome Teeth

As your local emergency dentist, our Derry team wants to help you get out of pain and get back on the road to sound oral health. In most cases, we are able to do that while allowing you to keep all your teeth; in fact, that is highly preferable to tooth removal! However, there are some situations in which tooth extractions are the best course of action. If we recommend this procedure for you, you can be confident that it will open the way for a better future for your smile.

Why Choose Derry Family Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?

  • Careful & Detail-Oriented Dental Team
  • Performed Only as a Last Resort
  • High-Quality Tooth Replacement Available

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

We might recommend the removal of one or more teeth if:

  • A tooth is so badly decayed or damaged that restoring it would not be possible or practical.
  • A tooth is infected, and removing it is the best way to stop the infection from spreading.
  • It is necessary to make room in the mouth for dentures or orthodontia.
  • Gum disease has caused the teeth to become very loose.
  • A wisdom tooth is threatening the health of nearby teeth.
  • One of a child’s baby teeth has not fallen out, and it is interfering with the incoming adult teeth.

The Process of Removing a Tooth

The process of removing a tooth is pretty easy for patients. First, we will use local anesthesia to numb your mouth; this should prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure. Once that takes effect, we will use an instrument called an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. We will then grip the tooth with forceps and rock it back and forth to break the connective tissues holding it in place. After the tooth is out, we will clean the socket and place some gauze to control any bleeding.

After your tooth is removed, we strongly encourage you to attend recommended follow-up appointments so you can pursue tooth replacement. A bridge or denture can help to preserve the health of your remaining teeth.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Most people feel normal within a week or so of their extraction. In the meantime, there are things you can do to minimize soreness and promote healing:

  • Take any medications as recommended by our team.
  • After the initial 24 hours, periodically rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Do not drink through a straw.
  • Keep your head elevated on pillows when you sleep.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Eat a soft diet.
  • Be careful during your oral hygiene routine so you do not irritate the extraction site.
  • Call our team if you have questions or concerns while you are healing.