Tooth Extractions – Campbell, CA

Expert Care from a Kind and Caring Dentist

No one wants to be told that they need a tooth extraction, and dentists typically do everything possible to avoid referring them if a viable solution presents itself. However, if a tooth is severely damaged or in danger of causing harm to the rest of your mouth and no other restorative options are available, Dr. Ho is not going to allow it to put your mouth in harm’s way. The good news is her office takes all the steps necessary to ensure that every step of your treatment is as comfortable as possible through referring out to our highly trusted specialists.

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

There are many situations where a tooth extraction is needed, one of the more common reasons being erupting wisdom teeth that the mouth cannot properly accommodate. However, other situations include significantly damaged teeth, either from tooth decay, gum disease or forced trauma from a sporting injury or bad fall. If you intend on pursuing orthodontic treatment, teeth may need to be extracted then as well.

Different Types of Tooth Extractions

A pair of dental forceps holding an extracted tooth.

Every tooth extraction is unique, but that doesn’t mean that the process for removing tooth varies all that much. However, it should be noted that all those in need of an extraction can expect administration of analgesics to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Considered to be one of the most common tooth extraction procedures, wisdom teeth eruptions can easily cause existing teeth to become misaligned or crowded if they aren’t managed properly. They can also increase the risk of oral infection and tooth decay. Some choose to have them removed as a precautionary measure, but we’ll always recommend them if we believe they will cause harm later. Keep in mind that wisdom teeth are much easier to remove at a younger age when the roots have not fully developed.

Multiple Tooth Extractions

If you have extensive decay in multiple teeth or you simply have more teeth than usually due to genetics, you may need multiple extractions performed at the same time. Our referring specialists will go over your extraction procedure in great detail beforehand so that we can plan for eventual tooth replacement treatment. Multiple tooth extractions may also be needed if you need traditional metal braces placed.

Extraction Site Preservation

Once a tooth is extracted, our specialists will take the steps necessary to preserve your socket’s existing bone tissue. Through socket preservation, we can reduce the effects of bone deterioration, which begin as soon as teeth are extracted. By fortifying the bone as soon as we complete the extraction, you can improve your chances of receiving dental implants later.

Post-Operative Care

A woman smiling at her dental appointment.

It is crucial that you follow all post-care instructions from our referring specialists. Doing so will help you avoid complications and ensure a speedy recovery. These steps include:

Biting gently on your gauze pad to promote healing, reduce bleeding, and allow a clot to form.
Resting for several days
Keeping to a soft food diet and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth away from the extraction site
Using a cold compress to reduce any swelling
Avoiding the use of straws for the first 24 hours after surgery
Maintaining positive oral care habits (while avoiding the extraction site)
Giving our office a call if any issues arise (including extensive pain several days after treatment)

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