Extractions

Extractions are a safe and effective treatment for various oral issues, including severe tooth decay, gum disease, and impacted wisdom teeth. At Club Atlantis Dental in Miami Beach, Florida, Mayra Lopez, DDS, and the team offer tooth extractions to people 12 and older. They always administer local anesthetics before the procedure to ensure a comfortable and pain-free experience. Call Club Atlantis Dental today to see if you’re a candidate for extractions, or book your appointment online.

I have a severe toothache. Are extractions necessary?

It depends. The Club Atlantis Dental team takes a conservative and patient-centered approach to dentistry. Whenever possible, they use noninvasive procedures to relieve pain and provide lasting relief. If your symptoms continue, worsen, or affect your quality of life, extractions might be necessary.

When are extractions recommended?

The Club Atlantis Dental team uses extractions to manage a variety of oral conditions, including:

• Loose teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Severe gum disease
• Fractured teeth
• Impacted teeth
• Severe tooth decay

Sometimes, extractions are a necessary part of preparation for other medical procedures. For example, your dentist might recommend extractions if you’re undergoing an organ transplant or chemotherapy. Pulling a tooth (or teeth) beforehand can reduce the risk of infection and other complications. 

Are there different types of extractions?

The Club Atlantis Dental team offers two types of extractions:

Simple extractions

Simple extractions remove teeth above your gumline that are easy to access. Your dentist administers a local anesthetic, loosens your tooth with dental forceps, and carefully removes your tooth from its socket. Then, they fill the empty socket with gauze and explain how to prevent infection during recovery.

Surgical extractions

Surgical extractions remove teeth that are unable to break through your gumline. Surgical extractions are commonly used to pull wisdom teeth.

Your dentist administers a local anesthetic and makes a small incision in your gums. They use handheld instruments to separate the tooth into several pieces and remove the pieces one at a time. At the end of the surgery, your provider stitches the incision closed and packs your empty socket with gauze.

Simple and surgical extractions take 60-90 minutes on average. 

What is recovery like after tooth extractions?

After tooth extractions, your mouth feels sore and sensitive for 48-72 hours. During that time, follow the Club Atlantis Dental team’s recovery instructions. Take your medication as prescribed, eat only soft foods, and avoid drinking from a straw to avoid a painful dry socket. 

Are tooth extractions safe?

Tooth extractions are safe and usually well-tolerated, but there are risks associated with any oral surgery, including:

• Infection
• Dry socket
• Increased gum sensitivity
• Nerve injury
• Delayed healing

It’s possible to prevent these and other complications by maintaining good oral hygiene and following the team’s recovery instructions.

Call Club Atlantis Dental today to see if you’re a candidate for extractions, or book your appointment online.