Tooth Extractions in Rockville, MD
While Dr. Sarkarzadeh will attempt to preserve as much of the natural smile as possible, tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to restore a patient’s optimal oral health. Tooth extractions prevent overcrowding and remove a severely damaged or decayed tooth or impacted wisdom teeth.
If a tooth extraction is necessary to restore a patient’s oral health, Dr. Sarkarzadeh works with Dr. Farzin to provide complete dental implant services. Dental implants are the most natural way to replace missing teeth and provide patients with long-term oral health benefits and long-term bite stability.
Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh is a highly trained and experienced dentist, having served the Rockville, MD area for over 23 years. He provides comprehensive and personalized dental care for patients of all ages in our family-friendly, patient-focused dentist office.
Why Do I Need My Tooth Removed?
There are many reasons why you may need a tooth taken out or “pulled.” One common reason is tooth decay. If a cavity gets too deep and the tooth is badly damaged, fixing it might not be possible. In this case, Dr. Sarkarzadeh will decide to remove the tooth to stop pain or keep the infection from spreading.
Another reason for removing a tooth is if it is broken or cracked. If the break is too big or goes below the gum line, your dentist may be unable to fix it with a filling or a crown. Dr. Sarkarzadeh may also remove a tooth to help make room in the mouth. This often happens before braces, especially if the mouth is crowded.
Some people have “wisdom teeth” that do not fit in their jaws. Wisdom teeth can grow at the wrong angle, get stuck, or cause pain and swelling. If that happens, we will remove them. Other reasons for tooth removal include infections, gum disease, or injury.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth removal is typically for patients in their late teens or early 20s when their third molars appear. The roots of the wisdom teeth continue to grow as the person ages, making it harder for the dentist to remove them. This is why it has become common practice to extract them at this age when recovery is much faster.
It is unlikely that this set of teeth will erupt into a functional position and usually cause more harm than good. Wisdom teeth are hard to reach when brushing and most likely lead to decay or gum disease. Most young adults need wisdom tooth removal simply because they cause overcrowding. Wisdom teeth are the last molars to emerge and can often cause other teeth to shift. We remove impacted wisdom teeth to avoid bite complications later on.
Most patients will not experience any uncomfortable symptoms but removing wisdom teeth is necessary to avoid inevitable complications. There is a chance a patient may experience painful swelling, limited jaw movement, and pain while chewing. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause a great deal of pain. Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh routinely removes wisdom teeth, a procedure he performs from the comfort of our dentist’s office.
Tooth Extractions: What to Expect
Tooth extractions are a routine dental procedure performed in one visit in our Rockville, MD dentist office. Extraction is usually more comfortable than a patient anticipates, and they experience little to no discomfort during their treatment. Some patients may even feel relief. Removing an infected tooth eliminates pain and pressure from the infection.
After tooth extraction, there’s a small hole in the socket where the bottom part of the tooth used to be. Our dental care team will ensure that all patients understand appropriate aftercare procedures to minimize swelling, discomfort, and excess bleeding.
We recommend you avoid smoking, sucking on a straw, consuming alcohol, and brushing your teeth at the extraction site until healed. Patients typically recover within a few days of treatment without complication. However, if you experience excessive bleeding or pain, be sure to contact our Rockville, MD dentist office right away.
About Dry Sockets and How to Avoid Them
After a tooth extraction or wisdom teeth removal, a dry socket can happen. A dry socket is when the blood clot that forms in the empty tooth space falls out too soon or never develops. A dry socket can cause a lot of pain and slow down healing.
To avoid a dry socket, follow these simple steps:
- Rest and Relax: Take it easy for a few days. Avoid hard work or exercise that makes you breathe hard.
- Don’t Touch the Area: Keep your tongue, fingers, or straws away from the extraction site.
- Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or soup. Stay away from crunchy, sticky, or spicy foods.
- Keep It Clean: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals. Don’t brush near the extraction site for a few days.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking can cause a dry socket, so it’s best to avoid it completely.
By following these tips, you can lower your chance of getting a dry socket and help your mouth heal faster. If you feel severe pain or think you have a dry socket, call our office right away. We can help you feel better and fix the problem.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
At our practice, we strive to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. However, there are situations where removing a tooth is the best choice for your overall oral health. Whether due to severe decay, infection, crowding, or trauma, our compassionate team makes patient comfort and safety a top priority during every tooth extraction. Read on to learn more about the reasons for extractions, what to expect during the procedure, and your options for restoring your smile afterward.
What can you expect after the procedure?
After a tooth extraction procedure, patients can expect to feel tired and groggy while the anesthesia wears off. Expect bleeding for up to 24 hours after the procedure. The blood clot forms and protects the exposed gum in the extraction area. If patients experience any infection symptoms, redness, discharge, vomiting, shortness of breath, or excessive coughing post 24 hours after the procedure, they should contact their dentist.
What can you do to speed up gum healing time?
After tooth extraction, pain occurs in the surrounding area. Inflammation occurs around the mouth and jaw. There are many ways to speed up the recovery process so that patients feel back to normal and comfortable as soon as possible after the procedure.
Some ways to expedite your recovery are alternating between hot and cold packs on the inflamed area, using a saltwater rinse, and taking anti-inflammatory and pain-reveling medication (as recommended by your dentist). Restrict your diet to soft foods for the first few days after the procedure. These restrictions boost your recovery and give your gums time to heal without being impacted by chewy or hard foods.
Do teeth extractions hurt?
We typically sedate patients for teeth extractions unless a patient specifically asks not to be sedated. Sedation makes the procedure as comfortable as possible for patients. Tooth roots connect to nerves. Without sedation, this is a very uncomfortable experience. After the procedure and after the sedation has worn off, patients may feel pain in their jaw and gum where the tooth was removed. This should only last a couple of days after the procedure.
What are my options to replace an extracted tooth?
When you lose a tooth, you have a few choices to fill the gap. You can get a dental bridge, which uses teeth on both sides to hold a false tooth in place. Another choice is a dental implant, which is a fake root put in your jaw with a tooth on top. You could also get a removable partial denture that clips onto nearby teeth.
Do I have to replace an extracted tooth?
You do not always have to replace a tooth that was pulled, but it is a good idea. When you lose a tooth, the teeth next to the gap can move or tilt. This can cause problems when you eat or talk. It may also change how your smile looks. Replacing the tooth with a fake one, like a bridge or implant, can help your mouth work and look better and lower your risk of additional dental issues.