Patient Services

Dental Extractions

Teeth may need to be removed for a number of reasons. This could include orthodontic considerations or as a result of extensive decay, ‘gum’ disease, or trauma resulting in painful, abscessed, or loose teeth. In most non-emergency situations involving the need for dental extractions, we will evaluate and treat you at the same visit. This treatment can be performed under local anesthesia (numbing medicine), conscious sedation or general anesthesia. Please remember not to eat or drink anything (except for prescription medications) for at least 6-8 hours prior to your appointment if you would like to “go to sleep”. If your dentist has recently taken x-rays which show all of the teeth in question, please bring them with you to your appointment or verify that they have been sent and received. On many occasions a special Panoramic X-ray will be needed to identify vital structures in the area of the surgery.

Most patients prefer not to return to work on the day a tooth is extracted…usually because of minor post-extraction bleeding and discomfort. We will provide you with post-operative instructions, extra gauze, and a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics (if indicated) after your treatment is complete. Post-operative instructions can also be found HERE. You can expect mild to moderate discomfort for a few days following the extraction. There may be some swelling, stretching of your lip, or bruising. In general, you should start to feel better after 2-3 days. If you do not, please let us know.

If you prefer to be sedated or ‘go to sleep’, a preoperative appointment to evaluate your health and discuss anesthesia options is available. Pre treatment consultation is necessary for patients with an extensive medical history or special needs. This allows us the opportunity to review your medical history, determine what procedure(s) are needed, and otherwise prepare you for your procedure.

If your medical history is complex and you are taking a number of prescribed medications, we may need to discuss your dental treatment with your physician before we can treat you. Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking with you to this consultation appointment.