Tooth Extractions in Wayne, MI

Need a Tooth Removed?

Here at Village Dental, we take a conservative approach to dentistry and strive to preserve your natural teeth if it’s possible. But sometimes, tooth extraction is the best option for restoring your oral health.

Dental trauma, overcrowding, advanced gum disease, or severe decay or infection are all reasons that a tooth may need to be removed. Our team in Wayne can safely, gently, and quickly extract your tooth and replace it with a long-lasting dental implant or dental bridge.

Explore our various tooth extraction procedures and when they may be necessary.

General Tooth Extractions

A general removal, also called a simple tooth extraction, is the most common and uncomplicated type. It’s typically completed on teeth that are visible and over the gums.

During a general tooth extraction, we’ll start by applying a local anesthetic to numb the area so you’ll remain pain-free. Then, Dr. Seth will gently remove your tooth and apply stitches and gauze to ensure proper healing.

After the removal, you’ll need to rest for at least 48 to 72 hours to allow the extraction area to heal properly.

Emergency Tooth Extraction

Sometimes, accidents happen, and an emergency tooth extraction is necessary to save your smile. At Village Dental, our experienced dental team is here for you if you need immediate dental care.

Any dental problem that requires urgent care to prevent bleeding, alleviate immense pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. If these problems occur, Dr. Seth can perform an emergency tooth removal and restore your smile to optimal health.

Surgical Extractions

A surgical extraction is a bit more complex than a general tooth extraction. Typically, we’ll complete this treatment when a tooth hasn’t broken through the gum line or hasn’t fully grown into the mouth.

During a surgical extraction procedure, Dr. Seth will administer a local anesthetic so you won’t feel a thing. She’ll safely make a small incision into your gums to access the affected tooth and gently remove it.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Your third molars, or wisdom teeth, typically don’t grow in until your teenage or early adult years. Some patients’ wisdom teeth may never grow in, so extraction isn’t always necessary. However, your third molars will need to be removed if they begin to impact surrounding teeth and result in future complications.

Dr. Seth can help determine whether or not wisdom tooth removal is necessary during your routine checkup and oral examination.

How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take?

On average, a tooth extraction will take 20 to 40 minutes for one tooth. If you need multiple teeth removed, each tooth will generally need an extra 15 to 30 minutes.

It’s important to know that the procedure time will vary depending on the type of extraction it is. Most extraction procedures are completed in just one visit to our office in Wayne, MI. However, if it’s a surgical extraction, it may take longer than a general tooth removal.

Are Tooth Extractions Painful?

During a tooth extraction, you’ll experience little to no pain or discomfort. We’ll give you a local anesthetic to help reduce any sensations during the extraction. Following your procedure, you’ll most likely feel more pain than you did at our office. To help alleviate it, be sure to take your prescribed medications provided by Dr. Seth or OTC pain relievers.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Generally, a patient’s tooth extraction healing period will last two to three days, but each individual is different. Our Village Dental team will provide you with proper recovery do’s and don’ts.

By following these post-op recommendations, you’ll be able to alleviate your discomfort, reduce the risk of infection, and speed up your overall recovery:

Take medications prescribed by Dr. Seth or use any pain relievers like Aleve or Tylenol.
Gently bite on the gauze to subside bleeding and to allow a clot to form in the tooth socket.
Change out the gauze pads every three to four hours after the removal until bleeding stops.
Apply ice to your outside cheeks for 10 minutes at a time to minimize swelling.
Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for 24 hours so you don’t dislodge the blood clot.
Rinse with warm salt water to help with swelling and cleaning out your mouth.
Avoid smoking for three days so you don’t hinder healing.
Follow a soft food or liquid diet within the first 24 hours. Slowly ease into eating normal food again when you feel fully recovered.
Make sure to brush your teeth and tongue as well as floss, but be careful around the extraction site so you don’t harm it.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Tooth Extraction?

The initial tooth extraction recovery takes approximately two to three days. During these first few days, Dr. Seth suggests you stay rested and avoid activity so your mouth can heal. The surgical site can take up to three or four weeks to completely heal with proper aftercare.

What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

There are several foods you can eat after a tooth extraction, such as:

Juices and smoothies
Yogurt and pudding
Mashed potatoes
Blended soups and broth
Scrambled eggs
Applesauce
Ice cream

Remember to avoid extremely hot, hard, and chewy foods so you don’t infect the extraction site.

Tooth Extraction Complications

Following your tooth extraction, it’s normal to have some swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. However, this should diminish within the first few days of recovery.

If it doesn’t, it could be a sign of infection and it’s best to contact Village Dental so we can get you in right away. Simply give us a call at (734) 722-1617 or fill out a contact form to schedule an appointment with Dr. Seth as soon as possible.

Being prepared for any potential complications will help you and our team address the problem and find the right solution immediately. Possible tooth extraction complications you may encounter include:

Infection: An infection can occur for various reasons and will oftentimes lead to swelling, pain, or a fever. If your extraction site is infected, you may start to develop flu-like symptoms, exhaustion, or notice a discharge around the area. Dr. Seth will need to examine and clean out the site, as well as provide you with antibiotics to manage the infection.
Dry socket: Unfortunately, a dry socket is the most common type of extraction complication. This happens when the blood clot that forms on the extraction site becomes dislodged prematurely, exposing your jawbone and nerves to air and food particles and leading to infection. Getting immediate care is crucial to avoid the risk of it spreading to your ears or throat, or encountering a future oral infection.
Nerve injury: Although extremely rare, nerve injuries may occur during your dental extraction surgery. Nerve injury could result in a sensitive feeling or numbness around the gums, tongue, chin, and lower lip. Fortunately, if there is nerve damage, it’s generally temporary and will heal within six months.

How Much Do Tooth Extractions Cost?

The cost for a tooth extraction will vary depending on whether the tooth is impacted and needs to be surgically removed. A simple extraction will cost less than a surgical extraction, but the total cost may vary based on what your needs are.

If you have insurance, most providers will cover most or all of the treatment. For patients without insurance, we offer an in-house dental savers plan and other third-party financing options to help pay for our services.

Get Your Tooth Removed Today

If you have oral pain, experience dental trauma or decay, or have an overcrowded mouth, then a tooth extraction may be right for you. Dr. Seth and our Village Dental team can determine if a damaged tooth can be saved or if removal is the best option.

When tooth extraction is necessary, we’ll ensure you feel comfortable throughout the procedure and confident in the restorative dental treatment you receive. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions regarding the tooth removal process. Contact us at (734) 722-1617 to get started with an appointment today.