Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical/and or injectable anesthetic such as Novocaine. Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic, and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn’t occur. Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce any swelling and promote faster healing. Typically, over the counter pain medication as instructed by your doctor, is sufficient to handle any pain associated with tooth extraction.

If wisdom teeth are causing a problem and are not pulled, they can sometimes become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections. Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one’s ability to properly bite down, speak or eat.

Dental implant surgery replaces the root area of the missing tooth with metal, screw-like posts that the artificial tooth can be anchored to. The artificial teeth look and act just like real ones, so this type of surgery can be a great alternative to wearing dentures or ill-fitting bridgework. Dental implant surgery may be performed in several steps depending upon the kind of implant you’re getting and the health of your jawbone. The process requires the jawbone to heal tightly around the dental implant area, effectively assimilating it into the gumline as if it were a natural tooth. The implants are surgically placed within the jawbone and serve as the “root” of the artificial tooth being implemented. Titanium is often used for this procedure because it fuses the implant with the jawbone, remains firmly in place, and won’t decay like some kinds of bridgework.