Most of the time, patients that require oral surgery are having some type of
tooth extraction done. However, there are also other reasons for having oral surgery. The more complicated the reason for the surgery, the more specialized you want your dentist to be. The experts at
Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental are very well qualified to help when you need certain procedures done, but they also know when you should be in the hands of a specialist.
Reasons for Tooth Extractions
Since the vast majority of oral surgeries revolve around extractions, it is important to know why one may require a tooth to be extracted. While teeth are incredibly strong, they can only take so much pounding before they begin to wear down and fail. Once
a tooth has failed beyond the ability for it to be repaired, it must be removed. Common reasons for removal include:
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Teeth suffering from severe decay
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Tooth fractures that would be either impractical or impossible to fix
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Teeth that have little or no functionality, which can then be covered
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Teeth that are impacted, or positioned poorly in another way
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Teeth that are struggling to stay in due to the bone loss that accompanies periodontal disease |
When a tooth needs to be extracted, the procedure can either be simple, requiring little anesthesia and a straight pull, or surgical, where cutting through your gum tissue becomes necessary.
After a Tooth Extraction
Prior to having a tooth extracted, you need to know what to expect when the procedure is over. You can expect that there will be some bleeding, mostly in the first 8 to 12 hours. Should your bleeding be significant after that window, you need to give us a call and come in and see one of our dentists to ensure there is not a problem in the socket.
You will also likely experience some oozing that will be pink in color, due to a little bit of blood being mixed in. This usually starts after the heavier bleeding slows or stops, and ends within a couple days of the extraction. This is normal, but if it becomes excessive, give us a call.
The pain of having a tooth extracted through oral surgery should be able to remain under control with over the counter pain relievers that are not aspirin based. This includes options such as Aleve, Advil, or Tylenol. If your pain becomes severe, or extends beyond a 2 to 3 day window, call Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental at 503-334-1141 to find out what could be causing your pain.
Having oral surgery is something that can be intimidating, but it does not have to be. The
experienced dentists at Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental can help go over the procedure with you, and put your mind at ease before anything starts. They will use anesthesia to be sure you are not in any pain, and they will help you with the aftercare instructions when you come in. Give us a call today at
503-334-1141, and get your appointment to meet up with one of the dentists set up!