Restorative care
Tooth Extractions in Huntersville, NC
When a tooth cannot be saved, a careful extraction and clear aftercare steps.
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that is too damaged, infected or crowded to keep. The area is numbed with local anesthetic first, so you feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain. The socket usually heals in 1 to 2 weeks. At Kreeb Family Dentistry in Huntersville, saving your natural tooth comes first, and your dentist explains every option before recommending an extraction.
At a glance
- Why it is doneSevere decay or infection, a broken tooth, gum disease, crowding or an impacted tooth
- ComfortLocal anesthetic numbs the area; ask about comfort options
- Time to healThe socket usually heals in 1 to 2 weeks; bone and tissue take longer
- A risk to watch forDry socket, when the blood clot is lost
- Follow-upA follow-up visit checks your healing
- InsuranceCall us for insurance details
When does a tooth need to be pulled?
Your dentist may recommend an extraction when a tooth cannot be repaired. Reasons include:
Deep infection or decay
that has reached the center of the tooth (the pulp) and is too severe for a root canal.
A broken tooth
that cannot be fixed with a filling or a crown.
Gum disease
that has loosened the tooth. See gum disease care.
Crowding
when there is not enough room for all the teeth.
Impacted teeth
such as wisdom teeth that are stuck under the gum or bone.
Injury
from an accident or a fall.
Before recommending an extraction, your dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays and checks whether it can be saved.
Is a tooth extraction right for you?
An extraction is a good choice when keeping the tooth would leave you with ongoing pain or infection, or would put nearby teeth at risk. It may not be the first choice when a root canal and a crown could save the tooth.
Tell your dentist about your health and any medicines you take before the procedure. Smoking and some birth control pills raise the risk of dry socket.
What happens during a tooth extraction?
There are two main types of extraction:
- Simple extraction. For a tooth you can see in the mouth. The dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, then removes it with forceps.
- Surgical extraction. For a tooth that is broken at the gum line or impacted. The gum is opened and some bone may be removed, or the tooth is taken out in pieces. More complex extractions are often done by an oral surgeon.
Your dentist will tell you which type you need and whether it can be done in our office.
Here is what to expect at the visit:
Numbing
We numb the tooth and the area around it with local anesthetic.
Removal
The tooth is loosened and removed. You feel pressure, but you should not feel sharp pain. Tell us if you do, and more anesthetic can be given.
Gauze
We place gauze over the socket. Biting on it helps stop the bleeding and lets a blood clot form.
Stitches, if needed
Some extractions need a few self-dissolving stitches.
Aftercare
We give you instructions for the next few days and book a follow-up visit to check your healing.
Does a tooth extraction hurt?
The extraction itself should not be painful, because the area is numbed. You will feel pressure and may hear some sounds. If you feel nervous, tell us when you book and ask about comfort options.
Once the anesthetic wears off, some soreness and swelling are normal. Your dentist may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, or prescribe medicine; take it as directed.
How should you care for the area after a tooth extraction?
Good aftercare protects the blood clot in the socket, which helps the bone heal. MedlinePlus advises these steps:
Keep the gauze in place
to stop bleeding. If bleeding continues, bite on a fresh, damp piece of gauze.
Use a cold pack
on your cheek for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, wrapped in a cloth. Do not put ice right on your skin.
Eat soft foods
and chew on the other side. Avoid hard or crunchy foods for about 1 week.
Do not use a straw
for at least 24 hours. Suction can pull the clot out.
Do not smoke or use tobacco
while you heal.
Wait to rinse
Start rinsing about 3 days after the extraction, or as your dentist directs. Your dentist may suggest gently flushing the socket with warm salt water.
Brush and floss your other teeth
from the day after, but avoid the socket for at least 3 days. Do not touch it with your tongue.
Rest
Avoid hard exercise for the first couple of days.
What is dry socket, and how can you prevent it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost or does not form well, leaving the bone exposed. It does not happen after most extractions. A Cochrane review reported it in 1% to 5% of routine extractions and upwards of 30% of surgically removed wisdom teeth.
Signs of dry socket usually start 1 to 3 days after the tooth is pulled:
- Severe pain that can spread to the ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side
- An empty-looking socket with no clot
- A bad taste or bad breath
- A slight fever
You may be more at risk if you smoke, use birth control pills, had a difficult extraction, have had dry socket before, or rinse hard or use a straw after the procedure. In one review, dry socket occurred in about 13.2% of smokers and about 3.8% of non-smokers.
To lower your risk, follow your dentist's aftercare instructions. If you think you have dry socket, call us. The dentist can clean the socket and place a medicated dressing to ease the pain.
When should you call the office?
Call (704) 875-7200 if you have any of these after an extraction:
- Fever or chills, pus, or swelling that gets worse
- Heavy bleeding several hours after the procedure
- Pain that keeps getting worse, or severe pain a few days later
- A rash or hives
- Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or trouble swallowing (get medical help right away)
What are the risks of tooth extraction, and the alternatives?
Every procedure has risks. Known risks of extraction include:
Dry socket
(see above)
Infection
Nerve injury
which can cause numbness or tingling in the lip, chin or tongue
Damage to nearby teeth
or dental work
Bruising, swelling and slow healing
Reactions to anesthesia
or other medicines
Your alternatives depend on why the tooth is a problem:
- A root canal can treat an infected tooth so it can be kept. See root canal therapy.
- A crown can rebuild a broken tooth that still has a healthy root.
- Waiting. Ask your dentist what is likely to happen if you leave the tooth, so you can decide with full information.
Should you replace a pulled tooth?
Ask your dentist whether to replace the tooth and when. Options include a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture. Talking about it before the extraction lets you plan the whole treatment.
How much does a tooth extraction cost?
The cost depends on the tooth and the type of extraction. The main factors are:
Simple or surgical
extraction
Number of teeth
removed
X-rays
needed before the procedure
Bone grafting
if the site is being prepared for an implant
Your insurance
Coverage varies by plan.
Call us for insurance details, and ask about payment options on our insurance and payment page.
Why patients choose Kreeb Family Dentistry for extractions
We try to save the tooth first
Your dentist looks at every option, including a root canal or a crown, before recommending an extraction.
A plan for what comes next
We can talk about replacement options, such as an implant, bridge or denture, before the extraction.
A follow-up visit
to check that the area is healing as expected.
Early hours
The office opens at 7:00 AM, Monday to Friday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Call us and our team will help.
How long does it take to heal after a tooth extraction?
The socket usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal, and the bone and tissue around it can take longer. Healing varies from person to person, and your follow-up visit checks your progress.
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
Eat soft foods such as yogurt, soup (not too hot), smoothies eaten with a spoon, and mashed potatoes. Chew on the other side. Avoid hard or crunchy foods for about 1 week, and do not use a straw for at least 24 hours, because suction can pull out the clot.
When can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
MedlinePlus advises not smoking or using tobacco while you heal. Smoking raises the risk of dry socket. If you smoke, ask your dentist how long to wait before you start again.
How do I know if I have dry socket?
Dry socket usually causes severe pain 1 to 3 days after the extraction, sometimes spreading to your ear, eye, temple or neck. The socket may look empty, and you may notice a bad taste or bad breath. Call us if this happens. The dentist can clean the socket and place a soothing dressing.
Do you remove wisdom teeth?
It depends on the tooth. Some wisdom teeth come in fully and can be removed like any other tooth. Others are impacted, which may need a surgical extraction. Your dentist will examine the tooth and X-rays and tell you whether it can be done in our office.
Can I go back to work after a tooth extraction?
It depends on the extraction and the kind of work you do. MedlinePlus advises avoiding strenuous activity for the first couple of days. Ask your dentist what to expect for your extraction, so you can plan time off if you need it.
Book a tooth extraction consultation in Huntersville
If a tooth hurts, is broken or feels loose, call us. The sooner an infected tooth is checked, the more options you may have.