Tooth Extraction 

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure to remove a tooth from its socket in the bone. When you have a decayed, damaged or broken tooth, your dentist will first try to restore it with a filling, dental crown, or another treatment. However, if the damage cannot be repaired with these treatments, a tooth extraction may have to be performed.  

Sometimes a very loose tooth may also have to be extracted, if even bone grafting surgery cannot save the tooth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Types of Tooth Extraction Procedure 

Simple Extraction 

If the tooth is visible in the mouth, it is usually removed with a simple extraction. In this procedure, your dentist will loosen the affected tooth using an instrument called elevator. Thereafter, they use dental forceps to take out the tooth.  

Surgical Extraction 

If the tooth has broken off at the gum line or has not yet erupted into the mouth, it will have to be removed with a more complex procedure called surgical extraction. Your oral surgeon will make a minor incision into the targeted gum tissue area. It may also be necessary in some cases to remove a part of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in two pieces in order to extract it.  

Anesthesia for Tooth Extraction 

While a simple extraction can be performed using a local anesthetic, a surgical extraction will usually require local anesthesia as well as IV sedation. General anesthesia may be needed in some cases, such as with young children or with patients suffering from specific medical conditions. 

The surgeon may administer steroids and other medications through IV if you are undergoing conscious sedation. The steroids will help to keep you pain-free after the surgery and mitigate post-surgical swelling. While you may experience some pressure during the tooth extraction process, you will not feel any pain.  

Post-Treatment Pain Management 

You will receive post-op care instructions from your dentist following your tooth extraction. Before you leave their office, make sure you clarify any questions or concerns that you may have. After the treatment, some discomfort is expected even in case of a simple extraction. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can be highly effective to reduce pain after your tooth extraction. 

Take the medications in the dosage prescribed your dentist. Once the local anesthesia effect wears off, you should take your first pills. You may have to continue taking the pain meds as prescribed for at least three days. However, the actual degree of discomfort and how long the pain lasts will depend on the type of extraction and how complicated it was to extract your tooth.  

In many cases, the dentist may first prescribe pain medications for a few days, followed by an NSAID. The intensity of discomfort will significantly reduce after the first two days. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.