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(708) 524-0330
If one of your teeth is infected or damaged, or you have a wisdom tooth that has not erupted properly, you may need a tooth extraction from the office of Dr. Murphy. At our office, we specialize in simple extractions.
With modern tools and techniques, and sedation available for all of our patients, we can help you get through the process of tooth extraction with minimal pain, discomfort, and anxiety. Want to learn more? Read on, and get further details about the procedure now.
Tooth extraction is a very simple procedure. First, Dr. Murphy will clean and numb the area that is to be treated. Then, he will begin to use a tool called a dental elevator, to loosen the tooth in its socket. The root of the tooth is weakened to ensure that it can be pulled away cleanly.
Once the tooth is loose, a specialized tool called a dental forceps is used to grab the tooth by its base. Then, the tooth is pulled out in a single, smooth motion. After this, the area is cleaned and disinfected again, and the now-empty socket is sutured shut. This process will be repeated for every tooth which must be removed.
First and foremost, make sure that you follow every instruction Dr. Murphy gives you during your recovery, such as avoiding the use of straws, which could displace your blood clot and cause “dry socket,” and eating only soft foods for several days.
The initial pain and discomfort of a tooth extraction can be treated with a dose of prescription pain medication. After a day or two, your pain should mostly subside, and you can treat yourself with over-the-counter medication.
You may experience discomfort, swelling and bleeding for up to a week. After this time, most of your symptoms should subside. If you are still in a significant amount of pain and discomfort after a week, you may need to schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Murphy.
The most common reason for tooth extractions, by far, is the improper growth (impaction) of wisdom teeth. If the wisdom teeth grow in improperly, they can become infected, damage the surrounding teeth, and even cause teeth shifting or bite issues, so they’re usually removed.
Teeth that are seriously cracked or damaged due to dental trauma may also require extraction, if they cannot be treated with a root canal and a dental crown.. In addition, teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay or periodontal disease may also require extraction.
No. Your tooth extraction will not hurt at all. Your mouth will be numbed to ensure your comfort throughout the process, and you can also be sedated at the office of Murphy Dental Group. to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. You won’t feel a thing during your extraction.
However, you will feel some discomfort after your numbing and sedation begin to wear off a few hours post-extraction. During this time, you may also have to deal with bleeding, inflammation, swelling, and bruising near the extraction site.
This usually peaks within 24-72 hours of surgery, and then the pain will fade dramatically. During this time, you can take steps like taking ibuprofen or naproxen for the pain, applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth, and rinsing with salt water to keep the area clean and help with pain and discomfort.
In addition, make sure to follow all other instructions provided to you by Dr. Murphy after your treatment. This will help you reduce your pain and discomfort and ensure your mouth heals properly.
It will usually take between 1-2 weeks to fully heal and recover from a tooth extraction. You should take things easy for the first 48-72 hours and avoid exercise, eat a mostly liquid diet, and avoid spitting or rinsing forcefully to ensure you don’t dislodge your blood clot.
You should continue to eat soft and liquid foods for up to a week. At this time, you may be able to introduce some of your normal foods back into your diet, and the area should be almost completely healed within 2 weeks. However, recovery may take longer for some patients than others.
Again, you should refer to the instructions provided to you by Dr. Murphy to learn more about what to expect, and to get specific details about what to eat, things to avoid, and proper oral hygiene and care after a tooth extraction in Oak Park.
This depends on the tooth that you’ve had extracted, and why it had to be extracted. If you have had one or more wisdom teeth extracted, for example, there is no need to replace them, since they’re not important for your overall oral health or your ability to chew, speak, and smile.
However, if you’ve lost one of your other teeth, you should have it replaced as soon as possible. Having a tooth extracted can lead to a variety of oral health issues if you don’t have it replaced. Most obviously, losing a tooth (particularly a front tooth) can make it harder to speak clearly or to chew your favorite foods.
In addition to this, tooth loss will also cause the surrounding teeth to shift toward the empty socket where the missing tooth used to be, in an attempt to fill up the gap. This can cause problems with your bite.
Because of this, it’s highly recommended that you explore tooth replacement options like dental implants, dental bridges, and partial dentures as soon as possible. Dr. Murphy can provide you with more information about these treatments, and discuss which method of tooth replacement may be right for you.
At our office, Dr. Murphy and our team of oral care professionals can help you extract a painful or damaged tooth. In addition, as an experienced restorative dentist, Dr. Murphy can help you replace an extracted tooth with a dental implant, a bridge, or partial/full dentures.
If you think you may need a tooth extraction for any reason, contact us right away at (708) 524-0330 for an appointment, or come to our office at 137 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60301. We’re always taking new patients, and we’d be happy to see you.