While never an easy decision to arrive at, there are times that surgery will be required to correct an issue with a tooth or the gums. Not every surgical procedure requires an oral surgeon. Dentists are trained and qualified to handle select procedures in the office. These are the procedures that Dr. Bhoot can address here in our office at Dental Expressions.
Tooth Extraction– this process involves the removal of one or more teeth. While it is more common to remove teeth in children due to injury or in preparation for orthodontic treatment, there will be times that adults need a tooth extracted as well. Removing a tooth has an impact on your ability to chew, speak, and even your appearance. It will not be a decision Dr. Bhoot takes lightly.
To remove your tooth, the affected area will be numbed. The tooth is then rocked back and forth until it can be removed successfully from the socket. Some teeth will be more firmly anchored into their socket, or their roots will complicate things a bit. When this happens, your tooth will be sectioned to help the removal process. To section a tooth, Dr. Bhoot cuts it into smaller portions that make it possible to remove the tooth with ease.
Dental implants– dental implants are another form of surgery that your dentist can complete with ease in their office. Many times, these implants are done to replace a tooth lost to extraction. Please see our page dedicated to dental implants to learn more.
Dental Surgery Aftercare
While surgeries that are performed in dental offices are quite routine, there is always the possibility of complications. That risk increases if the patient doesn’t follow the aftercare instructions. Listed below are some of the complications to watch out for after surgery and how to handle them.
Bleeding– the area around the incision may continue to bleed. Bite down on dome gauze to help encourage the formation of a clot.
Swelling– it is highly likely that your face will swell as a result of the surgery. Place ice on your face for ten minutes at a time (and then off for twenty minutes) for 24 hours after surgery.
Dry socket– this happens when a clot fails to form in the socket the tooth was removed from. This condition presents itself 3-4 days post-surgery. Patients will feel a throbbing pain in the socket of the extracted tooth. Medicated dressings will resolve the complication.
Aftercare instructions
- Take any pain meds prescribed by Dr. Bhoot or use over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen.
- No rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after your procedure and no using straws or drinking hot liquids.
- You can eat and drink, just avoid the side of your mouth the surgery occurred on.
- After 24 hours, you can resume a regular brushing and cleaning schedule for your mouth. Steer clear of commercial mouthwashes for 1-2 weeks until the surgery site is better healed.
- After 24 hours, rinse your mouth and the surgery site at least twice per day with a saltwater rinse.