Oral Surgery

You can choose to be awake or to be sedated. Extractions can be done in either way.

yes, A dentist often pulls an infected tooth as soon as possible so the infection doesn't get worse or spread.

You can brush all areas around the extraction site with toothpaste for the first day and resume normal brushing after the area has started healed.

You can drink cold beverages but avoid straws which create negative pressure and can impede healing.

The bleeding from an extraction should stop within the first few hours of the procedure. You should not need to use gauze during sleeping hours. If the area is bleeding extensively, you should call your dentist. Sleeping with glaze is dangerous because you can swallow or aspirate it.

Yes, immediate dentures are dentures made prior to extracting any teeth. The dentist approximates the final tooth position and inserts them the same day as the extraction.

The blood clot forms in the socket where the extracted tooth was located. You may be able to see the clot formation depending on the visibility and position of the tooth that was extracted.

You can absolutely shower after an extraction after you have recovered from the anesthesia and/or sedative.

NSAIDS are often prescribed for routine extractions and Opioides are prescribed for complex extractions. These analgesics aid in pain and inflammation management.

An experienced surgeon can often extract a tooth very quickly. Local anesthesia is used in the area to create a numb sensation during the procedure making it painless.

You may sleep routinely after an extraction. If there is swelling after the extraction, it is recommended to sleep in a slightly elevated position.

A routine extraction does not have much down time from work and most people are fine to return to work the next day. A more complicated surgery may require 2-3 days of post-operative recovery.

You should never sleep with guaze after an extraction. There is a chance of swallowing or aspirating the gauze which can be life threatening.

The first gauze stays in place for 30 minutes and can be changed accordingly till the bleeding from the extraction site stops.

Salt water rinses are very therapeutic on the second day post extraction. They promote healing and keep harmful food and bacteria particles out of the clotted socket. You may continue the rinses for several days as you see fit.

It's advisable to eat a soft diet on the opposite side of the extraction for the first 24-72 hours.

Gauze is recommended to be worn and changed till the bleeding stops and the initial clot is formed.

You MUST avoid spitting after the extraction! Spitting creates a negative pressure in the mouth causing poor clot formation.

A patient can have one or more teeth extracted in a day. It is not uncommon to have a patient remove all diseased teeth in one appointment. That is a choice to be discussed with your dental surgeon.

The initial clot starts to form soon after the extraction and matures in 1-2 days with proper care.

A tooth extraction should never be painful. Your surgeon will give you enough anesthetic that you will not feel the procedure.

A routine extraction may take 1-2 days to recover from depending on an individuals medical history. For more complex surgeries, recovery may take up to a week.

As soon as the anesthetic wears off, it is safe to eat a soft diet.

You can drink water as soon as the bleeding has stopped after the extraction.

You must NEVER spit after an extraction. Spitting will cause improper clot formation.

It is absolutely safe to swallow blood from your mouth.

Extractions of teeth are the removal of teeth which are decayed, fractured, mal-aligned, infected and non-functional.

A blood clot initially looks deep red in color and after more pronounced healing appears white.

It is always advisable to try to save your natural tooth structure. Choosing between an extraction and root canal must be discussed with your dentist. It is very unique and depends on an individual tooth long term prognosis.

After a tooth extraction, the area is irrigated with saline, required stitches are placed, gauze is placed in the area to promote clotting and, post-operative interactions are given.

If a tooth is not replaced, the bite may shift, remaining teeth may shift, bone loss occurs in the area and a patient may have issues with eating and chewing properly.

You should rest after a tooth extraction to allow the area to heal properly.

No rinsing is advised in the first 24 hours after an extraction. Warm salt water is a great and easy rinse to make for the following days the first 24 hours.

Avoid spitting, rinsing, hard foods, strenuous exercise and smoking.

After a routine extraction, you can return to work in 24-48 hours. More extensive surgeries may require a longer recovery time and return to work.

The extraction hurts more at night because of our sleeping position. Laying down causes more blood to rush to our heads, putting extra pressure on our mouth. Another factor is that we are less distracted and any mild discomfort before sleep can seem more intense.

There are varying levels of sedation ranging from conscious (awake) to general anesthesia (not awake).

Yes, often many patients choose to be sedated for extractions to relieve anxiety.

It is recommended to abstain from eating and drinking for 8-12 hours prior to sedation.

Yes, you can request sedation. It usually can not be done the same day and requires some arrangement with a surgeon or dental anesthesiologist.

You do not need sedation. Extractions are performed under local anesthesia unless the patient specifically desires sedation.

There is an additional fee associated with the sedation. The fee varies on the duration and complexity of the procedure.

Yes, that is why local anesthesia is used in tandem with sedation to relieve pain sensations. Sedation is not a pain reliever. It acts to minimize anxiety.

A consultation appointment is used to discuss sedation options and a subsequent appointment is scheduled for the actual procedure. When you present for the sedation appointment, an IV is placed and the sedative is administered. The procedure is completed and you are placed in a recovery room to have your vitals monitored. Once you are stable, you are escorted home to fully recover.

Dental Sedation is safe with the proper anesthesiologist and with proper monitoring facilities.

You should abstain from driving till the next day. It takes time for the anesthetic to me removed from your system.

The sedation can last as long as needed to complete the given procedure. The recovery can be several hours till the medication leaves your blood.

Dental sedation is safe when proper pre-operative and post-operative monitoring is conducted.

The side effects of oral sedation include drowsiness, sluggishness, loss of memory during the procedure, slow reflexes, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.

Depending on the level of sedation, it can takes several hours to pass completely through a patients system. To be sure, it is important to ask the treating dentist for specific post sedation timelines.

Yes, conscious sedation is safer than general anesthesia because patients remain responsive and recover much faster.

Depending on the duration of the procedure, there are a variety of common sedative drugs which include ketamine, phenobarbital, lorazepam, propofol and fentanyl.

Minimal sedation is a level of anxiety relief where the majority of your senses are intact and you control your own breathing.

A wide range of sedation can be used for extractions ranging from oral sedation to general anesthesia.

All forms of sedation are used in the field of dentistry. The type depends on the specific needs of the patient and the duration and complexity of the procedure.

You can expect to feel nothing at all or sluggish , drowsy and possibly nauseous. Side effects vary depending on the type of medication used.

You should stop eating and drinking 8-12 hours prior to surgery. Get a good nights rest and organize someone to accompany you.

You may feel minor discomfort from the IV needle but otherwise there is no pain from the actual sedation.

Food and drink are contraindicated 8-12 hours before anesthesia so the stomach remains empty. Any food in the stomach can come back up into the mouth and be aspirated into the lungs causing major problems and need for emergency care.