Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is typically a very fast process—we will use anesthesia to ensure you're comfortable. The most critical part of the process is recovery. We need to make sure we control the bleeding and encourage a proper healing process immediately following the tooth extraction. This involves having you bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes to form a blood clot. You must be extremely careful not to disturb the blood clot for the next 24 hours. To manage swelling, we recommend an ice pack on the outer cheek, and once swelling has gone down, a warm compress to the same area for comfort. Gentle rinses with warm saltwater also help keep the extraction area clean.

After a tooth extraction, replacing the missing tooth is essential to maintain proper bite alignment, chewing function, and jawbone health. Many patients are good candidates for a dental implant once the extraction site has healed - typically about 10 weeks after the procedure. In some cases, a temporary denture may be recommended during the healing period to restore appearance and daily function.

Our two dental offices in Brentwood and Lewisburg, Tennessee allow us to provide accessible, community-focused dental care.