Tooth Extractions in Chapel Hill, NC
If you think you need a tooth extraction, contact our Chapel Hill, NC dental office for a consultation with Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White. Your Chapel Hill dentist will evaluate your oral health condition and make recommendations for a full treatment plan.
Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction
When you have tooth pain, it may seem like the best treatment is to have the tooth pulled. In most cases, however, we will support the decision to preserve the natural tooth. For teeth with decay, this can be accomplished with root canal treatment, cracked or broken teeth can often be restored with a dental crown or tooth bonding.
There are situations, however, where tooth extraction is the best choice. In these cases, your dentist will design a treatment plan to remove the tooth and, if necessary, replace it either with a dental implant, dental bridge, or denture. It is important to replace missing teeth quickly to prevent supporting bone from deteriorating and remaining teeth from shifting.
For your complete comfort, we offer dental sedation. Your dentist will discuss your concerns and needs before recommending the most suitable sedation to be used during your procedure. Depending on the type of sedation being used, you may need to arrange transportation to and from your dental appointment.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
As family dentists, we will monitor the development of your child’s wisdom teeth. These typically begin to erupt in the late teens and early twenties but can be seen on dental x-rays beforehand. For most patients, wisdom teeth removal is recommended to support optimal long-term dental health.
Depending on the condition and position of the wisdom teeth, Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White may perform the wisdom tooth extraction in the comfort of our Chapel Hill dentist office. For more complex cases, we may elect to refer you to a local oral surgeon for treatment. Contact our office at 919.736.6175 or schedule an appointment online.
Tooth extraction can be a relatively simple procedure when the teeth are partially or fully erupted and there is no impact on adjacent teeth. In these situations, patients can be made comfortable with a local anesthetic while your dentist removes the teeth.
If wisdom teeth are impacted in the jaw bone and putting pressure on neighboring teeth, a surgical procedure is necessary to remove the teeth and stabilize the soft tissue. Small sutures may be placed to enable healing. This type of removal may have a lengthier recovery due to impacted bone and soft tissues.
Whenever a tooth extraction is performed, our staff will provide detailed instructions for at-home care to ensure you recover as quickly as possible. A soft diet may be recommended for a specific period of time to reduce the incidence of complications or infection.
Replacing Your Extracted Tooth
For patients that need to replace an extracted tooth, our Chapel Hills dentists will recommend a dental implant if the patient qualifies. A dental implant-supported dental crown is the most natural solution for a missing tooth because it will look, feel, and function similar to a natural tooth.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
On average it takes between 1-2 weeks to recover from a tooth extraction. Patients should be able to resume regular activities after 1-2 days, however they need to be careful during the first 2 weeks to keep the area free from bacteria that could cause infection.
How soon can you eat after tooth extractions?
After a tooth extraction patients should wait at least an hour before eating. After the extraction there will be gauze in place to stop bleeding. Be sure to remove these before eating. Patients should be careful of what they eat and stick to a soft diet for at least 1 week after the extraction.
How can I make my tooth extraction heal faster?
The best way to speed up your recovery from a tooth extraction is to keep gauze in place to let the area clot and heal. Patients should be sure to rest and refrain from touching the open area. Patients should also stick to a soft diet, and ice the area when needed. Patients should not drink from a straw or smoke anything for at least a week after the extraction.
What are the do’s and don’ts after tooth extraction?
If you can’t avoid a sneeze, keep your mouth open to avoid increased pressure. Avoid probing the extraction site with your tongue – While it will feel odd to have an open space where you once had a tooth, keep your tongue away from it. This can dislodge a healing clot and increase your risk of dry socket.
How can I make my tooth extraction heal faster?
The best way to speed up your recovery from a tooth extraction is to keep your gauze in place and ice regularly. Icing will reduce swelling and gauze will help blood clots form. Patients should also be careful eating around the area of the wound and be sure not to chew with tender or open areas. It is also advised to avoid smoking.