Surgical Extractions in Kensington, MD

Kensington Natural Smiles provides surgical extractions in Kensington, MD. Call 301-933-3903 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but for many people, this simply is not the case. If you suffer from tooth decay or damage, infection, gum disease, or a crowded jaw, you might need to have one or more teeth extracted. If you need a surgical extraction, here is what you should know.

Before scheduling your extraction, we will take a complete health history. You might have a higher risk for bleeding due to certain medical conditions or medications. You may be at increased risk for infection if you currently have a great deal of oral disease or have an underlying health condition. Tell us about any current or recent health issues, as well as all medications and supplements, so that we can let you know of any precautions you should take.

Dental oral sedation is available if needed, though many people do not need it for extractions. We will carefully numb the tooth and surrounding soft tissues with a local anesthetic, making sure we do everything to make you feel comfortable.

You will feel a great deal of pressure, and you will hear some odd noises. These are perfectly normal. If you feel any discomfort, let us know right away so that we can administer additional anesthetic. Your comfort is our #1 goal.

We will give you a prescription for pain medication, which we recommend you take as prescribed even if you feel no pain. We will also have you bite down gently on a gauze pad for three to four hours to help a blood clot form.

Use an ice pack on your jaw for 10-15 minutes of every hour for the next couple hours. This will help to limit swelling. Keep your activity to a minimum for the next 24 hours, and avoid spitting, rinsing, smoking, or drinking from a straw during that time. Eat soft, lukewarm foods, and prop up on pillows when lying down. Unless otherwise instructed, you may brush your teeth, but steer clear of the extraction site. If you had multiple teeth removed and received an immediate partial or full denture, leave it in place for the first 24 hours, as it will act like a bandage.

It is normal to experience mild to moderate pain, bleeding, and swelling for the first 24 hours or so. If you have severe bleeding or pain after four hours, call us immediately. Also call us if you experience shortness of breath, fever, chills, chest pain, nausea, or excessive drainage from the extraction site. These are signs of a possible infection.

In rare cases, the blood clot may tear away from the extraction site, leaving exposed bone. This very painful condition is known as dry socket. Let us know if you have pain in the days after your extraction, as we can place a sedative dressing to relieve the symptoms while the site heals.

It typically takes a couple of days to feel normal, and a week or two for an extraction site to heal. Difficult surgical extractions, wisdom teeth, and multiple extractions can take longer. We will schedule you for a follow-up visit to check your healing and discuss options for replacing the missing tooth. After the site heals, a missing tooth can cause the rest of your teeth to shift, so it is important not to let it go.

If you need a tooth extraction, call Kensington Natural Smiles today at 301-933-3903 to schedule your appointment.