A variety of things can damage your teeth, including trauma, disease, decay, and even certain medications. At times, it may be necessary to extract damaged teeth to maintain the overall health of your mouth. At Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona, our board-certified oral surgeons perform tooth extractions in the comforting, professional environment of our Phoenix or Tempe offices. Our team has the knowledge and experience to provide our patients an unparalleled quality of care that draws residents of surrounding communities, including Scottsdale, Tempe, and Arcadia.
Contact us today to learn more about our procedures or to schedule an examination.
- Experience Providing Care & Comfort
- Tooth Extraction Procedure
- Tooth Extraction Aftercare
- Tooth Extraction Healing
- What To Eat After Tooth Extraction
- Tooth Extraction Cost
- Reconstructive Treatments
Had 5 extractions with no pain whatsoever! Dr. Golding is certainly the best . Will be coming back for those implants 😁
Rosario Aguayo
October 01, 2018
Experience Providing Care & Comfort
Drs. Michael W. Golding and J. Gregory Sabol are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with decades of highly specialized training and experience. You will meet with one of them during your initial consultation to discuss your treatment options and how the appearance of your mouth can be restored following an extraction. We believe the best patient is an informed patient, so we provide all the education you need to be comfortable with the options you choose throughout every stage of your treatment.
To ensure your complete relaxation and a virtually pain-free procedure, our doctors are trained in administering different types of anesthesia, ranging from local anesthesia to general anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and light sedation. Once your mouth is properly numbed, we take a conservative approach during tooth extractions, resulting in less post-procedure discomfort.
How Is Tooth Extraction Performed?
While the particulars of the tooth extraction procedure will be based on each patient’s unique needs, this treatment is typically a very simple and efficient one. In many cases, a local anesthetic is all a patient needs to minimize discomfort while the tooth is being extracted; however, as noted above, our practice offers a full array of sedation options that can help individuals relax during the treatment. We will make every effort to provide you with a comfortable experience.
Tooth extraction procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis. Some patients may require a small number of stitches in the extraction site once the tooth is removed. If stitches are necessary, they will be taken out approximately one week after the initial tooth extraction procedure.
Since every patient is different and their specific needs vary, not all tooth extraction procedures are exactly the same. Our doctor will explain all aspects of the treatment before we begin so you will know what to expect. Tooth extractions are some of the most frequently performed procedures at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona. Our doctors prioritize safety, comfort, and efficiency with all of our treatments, and we are happy to address any concerns you may have at any time.
What Type of Tooth Extraction Aftercare Is Needed?
Once your tooth has been removed, you will be instructed to firmly bite on a gauze pad placed over the extraction site. By biting down on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes, it aids the healing of your gums. You may need to repeat this step several times until bleeding stops. Over the next 72 hours following the procedure, patients are advised to refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, or sipping beverages through a straw to promote healing and avoid dislodging the clot. It’s also important that you avoid rinsing your mouth too vigorously or brushing the teeth that are adjacent to the extraction sites during this three-day period. If necessary, antibiotics and/or pain medication can be prescribed to aid the recovery process.
You can find additional tooth extraction care instructions here.
What Happens During the Healing Process After Tooth Extraction?
The tooth extraction healing stages begin with the formation of a blood clot in the empty socket, which should stop the bleeding. This typically occurs within the first day after the tooth has been extracted. Over the next one to two weeks, the gum tissue in the treatment area should be showing signs of significant improvement. In addition, the diameter of the site should begin to shrink, and the socket should be developing blood vessels. An adequate amount of new tissue formation in the area is often present after approximately 7 to 10 days. If sutures (stitches) were utilized after the tooth was extracted, they can often be removed at this time.
New bone tissue typically develops by the third or fourth week after extraction. At approximately four months following extraction, the body’s own healing processes will likely have completed the repair of the socket. While the full healing period takes some time, it’s important to remember that most individuals feel completely back to normal within two weeks of the procedure. There will likely be some degree of swelling and bleeding over the first couple of days, but these effects should dissipate. All post-treatment instructions should be carefully followed to avoid any complications, such as a “dry socket.” If the socket does not form a blood clot, or if the blood clot has been dislodged or dissolved before sufficient healing has taken place, a dry socket has likely occurred. If you experience excessive bleeding, pain, or continued swelling for more than two or three days after the tooth has been extracted, please contact our practice.
What Should I Eat After Tooth Extraction?
When it comes to minimizing the risk of unnecessary discomfort and making sure the healing process is a smooth one, eating the right kind of foods after tooth extraction is a very important aspect of recovery. Nutritious, soft foods are best during the first one or two days. Some of the more enjoyable options include smoothies, mashed bananas, yogurt, applesauce, ice cream, and other choices that don’t require you to bite down. Foods that are spicy, hot, or acidic should be avoided during this time. Many patients are able to resume their normal dietary habits after 48 hours, as long as they maintain caution and refrain from chewing foods that may risk harm to the extraction site.
It’s also important that you stay hydrated during the healing process, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Our doctor will provide you with detailed instructions so you will know what to expect during the recovery process.
How Much Does Tooth Extraction Cost?
The national average cost of tooth extraction for just one tooth typically hovers in the $75 to $200 range if the tooth is not impacted; however, the price often varies from one patient to another based on individual factors unique to the customized treatment plan. Some of these factors include the overall complexity of the treatment, the number and location of the teeth that are being extracted, and whether sedation techniques are utilized. When your treatment plan is developed, a member of our staff will produce a cost estimate of the procedure, including all associated fees and expenses, and answer any questions you may have. Many insurance policies provide some degree of coverage for tooth extraction procedures. Also, our practice accepts a variety of convenient payment methods, including installment plans through agencies such as CareCredit® that offer dental financing options for qualified applicants.
Reconstructive Services Available
When you learn that you must have one or more teeth removed to preserve your oral health, it’s important to realize that missing teeth not only take a toll on your appearance, but also on your jawbone and surrounding teeth. Your oral surgeon may recommend a reconstructive procedure to prevent the breakdown and absorption of the jawbone, which can alter your speech, chewing ability, and eventually your facial appearance. Our Phoenix and Tempe offices offer a comprehensive range of reconstructive options to replace one or more missing teeth.
Our reconstructive surgical procedures include:
Bone grafting – used to strengthen a weakened jawbone and preserve bone quantity and quality.
Dental implants – titanium posts embedded into the jaw to mimic natural tooth roots and support crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Zygomatic implants– a variation of dental implants designed for patients who have excessive bone loss in the upper jaw.
All-On-4® Teeth-in-a-Day – an alternative to a denture that would have to be removed daily. This implant-supported prosthesis does not need daily removal as it utilizes four dental implants on the upper or lower dental arch to support a custom prosthesis for patients missing an entire row of teeth.
Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona is a practice you can trust with your reconstructive dentistry needs. During a consultation, you can learn more about how these techniques can work together to restore your smile. You can feel confident that your smile is in good hands. Through our board-certified surgeons’ training and expertise, we strive to deliver an unparalleled quality of care.
For more information on tooth extractions or the reconstructive dental care provided by our Phoenix or Tempe offices, contact Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona today.