Tooth Extractions – Jacksonville, FL

Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?

Many patients are hesitant to commit to tooth removal because they are afraid it will hurt. However, our experienced dentists will make your comfort the top priority throughout the procedure. Whether you are getting one tooth pulled or multiple, the first step it always the same: numbing your mouth. In addition, sedation dentistry is available upon request.

After getting a tooth removed, you will likely experience some mild soreness for a couple days. Taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medication as directed by your dentist can help manage any discomfort. If your pain worsens instead of gradually going away, then get in touch with your dental team right away. 

Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?

Many patients who get a tooth pulled toward the back of the mouth think it’s not important to have it replaced. After all, if no one will notice the missing tooth, then who cares? However, in reality, your teeth do so much more than just create a beautiful smile. Each tooth plays an important role in enabling you to chew properly and enunciate when speaking. Even one missing back tooth can make it difficult to chew, which can lead to poor nutrition and indigestion. Meanwhile, missing a tooth toward the front of your mouth can cause a lisp. Nearby remaining teeth can also shift into the space left by a missing tooth, leading to bite problems. All of these issues are good reasons to talk to your dentist about how to replace your tooth after an extraction.

Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?

Smoking cigars, cigarettes, and even e-cigarettes can all delay the healing process. For this reason, you should avoid any form of tobacco use immediately following a tooth extraction. If you can, avoid smoking for a minimum of five days afterwards, or two weeks if possible. If you are interested in strategies to quit or pause smoking, don’t hesitate to talk with your dentist. They can help you prepare in advance for how to manage your tobacco habit following a tooth extraction in Jacksonville.

What Risks Are Involved with Tooth Extractions?

Fortunately, both regular tooth removal and affordable wisdom teeth extraction in Jacksonville are considered to be extremely safe. With that being said, any type of oral surgery comes with some risks. Two common complications following tooth extractions include:

• Dry socket – A painful condition that occurs when the blood clot that fills the void left by the extracted tooth becomes dislodged. The clot protects the extraction site while the mouth is healing. When it becomes dislodged, the underlying nerves and bone are exposed.
• Infection in the mouth – There is always a chance that bacteria enters the body after oral surgery and causes an infection. Some signs of an oral infection include bad breath, fever, sensitivity to hot and cold, and swelling or tenderness in the gums, neck, or jaw.

To prevent either of these scenarios from happening, be sure to follow the aftercare instructions Dr. Bradberry provides you.

Is there an alternative to a tooth extraction?

You’re not alone if you’re wondering whether your tooth extraction is truly necessary or if some other procedure might repair the damaged tooth instead. For example, a root canal can sometimes treat severe discomfort or an oral infection and is often followed by a dental crown to restore the affected tooth’s function and appearance.

However, our team usually only recommends removal as a last resort, once we’ve determined that no other options could effectively address the damage and preserve your smile. If you’re unsure why we’ve suggested extraction, you are welcome to ask!

Does removing problematic teeth hurt?

One reason so many people dread this treatment is that they’re convinced the process will inevitably be long and agonizing, but that’s thankfully not usually the case. Our compassionate Jacksonville providers understand you might be anxious, and we will do everything we can to help you feel comfortable throughout your appointment.

For instance, we will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic before we begin, so you you might feel some pressure while we work, but not outright pain. We can also prescribe oral conscious sedation to help reduce your body’s response to external sensations, helping you feel relaxed and at ease the entire time.

How are tooth extractions different from wisdom tooth extractions?

Simple tooth extractions are typically quite straightforward. Once you’re seated and comfortable, our team will elevate the tooth from its socket using a special device called an elevator. Then, we can gently grasp it with forceps and wiggle it free.

Meanwhile, wisdom teeth are notorious for becoming trapped in the jaw or gums when they arrive, which may require a more complex surgical extraction. This involves making a small incision to access the tooth, which may then need to be removed in smaller pieces to preserve the jawbone.

What are the options for replacing my extracted tooth?

The longer you wait to fill in the gap after your tooth is removed, the more likely your remaining teeth are to shift out of alignment to fill it in. This can wear down your enamel unevenly or contribute to bite misalignments and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, so we typically recommend rebuilding your smile as soon as possible.

Our team offers several types of replacement teeth, including:

• Dental bridges. These tooth-colored restorations contain the needed number of teeth between two dental crowns, which can be cemented over healthy abutment teeth or dental implants on either side of the space in your smile.
• This is the tried-and-true solution for rebuilding smiles after significant tooth loss, but sometimes, a single flipper can replace one missing tooth.
• Dental implants. This is the only option that involves surgically placing a biocompatible post into your jaw, which eventually fuses with the bone to become a more permanent part of your mouth.

We are happy to recommend the best option for you based on your unique circumstances.