Oral Surgery
Our number one priority in the dental field is to restore and repair natural teeth, however sometimes this may not be an option. When natural teeth become diseased, fractured, broken, or decayed past the point of being restorable you may need to get the tooth pulled, better known as an “extraction.” There are many different types of extractions whether it be on primary teeth or adult teeth. The different techniques the dentist uses to remove the tooth may be described as surgical or simple. Extractions can be done on wisdom teeth to create space in the jaw to prevent overcrowding and ensure the impacted teeth do not cause damage to the existing molars. Some patients may never need their wisdom teeth extracted but doing so before any discomfort or problematic symptoms arise typically helps long-term oral health. Depending on the procedure needed to extract the tooth, a general dentist can perform the extraction but in some cases a referral to an Oral Surgeon is necessary. Tooth extractions are a straightforward and in most cases quick procedure done in office. A local anesthetic is used to numb the general area so there is no feeling of pain, just some slight pressure when the tooth is removed. One or multiple extractions can be done in one visit and typically have a recovery period of 24 hours before patients can resume normal eating and oral habits.
What Can I Eat?
One of the most asked questions regarding oral surgery is “What can I eat after my surgery?”
Here’s our answer: Soft, room temperature foods are ideal. Stay away from hard, crunchy, or chewy foods after oral surgery. It’s also important to avoid drinking through straws!