If a tooth is fractured, infected, or extremely damaged due to decay, our specialists may suggest an extraction. Though an extraction may feel like the end of the road, At Poulos, Somers & Marshall, we view our gentle extraction process as the first step in rebuilding your smile. Our compassionate Denver doctors offer judgement-free care, and will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to replace your tooth for a bright, healthy smile.
The typical recovery time for a surgical tooth extraction from the office of Poulos, Somers & Marshall is about two weeks. We use advanced technology and techniques to ensure a speedy, healthy recovery after any oral surgery. At our office, we are able to remove your tooth without affecting the surrounding teeth or damaging the underlying bone.
Immediately after your extraction, a blood clot will form where your missing tooth used to be. This acts as a “scaffold” for new bone and gum growth, so it’s very important to ensure you do not dislodge it by doing things like spitting forcefully or using a straw for at least 24-48 hours after your procedure.
Over the next week or so, new tissue will begin to form around this blood clot. After about 7 days, the treatment area will be noticeably less painful. After about 2 weeks, the tooth extraction site will be completely healed. Within 7-14 days of your extraction, you may need to come into our Denver office to have your sutures removed.
During the process of surgically extracting your tooth, we use local numbing and sedation to make sure you don’t feel any discomfort. However, the procedure of extracting your tooth is still an invasive surgical procedure, so you will feel some pain and discomfort as you begin to recover.
Typically, this will be the most intense about a day or two after your appointment, and it will fade by about a week after your surgery, as your mouth heals and recovers from your tooth extraction. Serious pain and discomfort after 7 days is not normal. If you are in serious pain after 7 days, you may have “dry socket” or another complication from the extraction process, like an infection.
Our doctors may provide you with a prescription for pain medication. If this is the case, fill the prescription and take it as prescribed. Usually, you will only take prescription pain medication for 1-3 days after your procedure.
NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can help with pain and inflammation. Warm salt water rinses can also help soothe the extraction site and keep it clean. In addition, icing the cheek near the extraction site for up to 10 minutes at a time can help with pain and swelling.
Immediately after your extraction, you’ll be sent home to recover. You will need to rest for the rest of the day, and you should avoid any strenuous physical activity for the next few days. If possible, we recommend that you take a few days off from work.
You will also need to eat soft foods after your extraction. Depending on how long it takes you to heal, you may need to maintain this diet for anywhere between 3-7 days. Foods like smoothies, pudding, jello, applesauce, broths and thin soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes are all good choices. Avoid extremely hot or cold foods, which can irritate your extraction site. Do not eat spicy foods, as this can cause serious pain and discomfort.
Your Denver dentist at the office of Poulos, Somers & Marshall will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions for recovering from your surgery. Follow these instructions to ensure you recover quickly and avoid common complications like dry socket.
After a patient’s tooth is extracted, it's not uncommon for the bone that previously supported the tooth to weaken and fade away. This can lead to gaps forming between the teeth, or the teeth becoming misaligned. At Poulos, Somers & Marshall, we perform socket preservations with extractions to keep your mouth healthy. Keeping the bone strong is important because it helps you avoid more dental health issues in the future, it ensures that your mouth will be healthy enough to support a replacement tooth. Call us today to learn more about our extraction process and how we can help you restore your smile.
At Poulos, Somers & Marshall, we pride ourselves on changing the way tooth extractions have traditionally been done. If an extraction is necessary, we will very carefully and painlessly remove your tooth from its socket without damaging any adjacent teeth or supporting bone. During treatment, one of our Denver specialists will make a small incision into your gum in order to access the affected tooth. We use a localized anesthetic to ensure a pain-free procedure, and the site of your extraction should be healed within two weeks.
If you have a damaged or infected tooth, our team can help with a skillful, gentle surgical extraction. We take the time and care to preserve the bone left behind to ensure optimal dental health, and you’ll be comfortable throughout your treatment. Call us today at 303-832-4867 or contact us online to schedule an appointment in Denver!
