Brady J. Semmel DMD, MD

Map Icon1422 Commonwealth Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403

Map Icon910-509-1422
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While our office tries to avoid the loss of a tooth, sometimes it is necessary. The tooth may have severe tooth decay, have suffered extensive injury or be positioned improperly, or gum disease may have caused damage to the tooth or the supporting tissue.

Even the removal of one tooth can cause issues. To protect the health of your bite, prevent wear and tear, keep the teeth in place, or avoid other issues, our oral surgeon may recommend against extraction. Dr. Brady J. Semmel can help you decide whether this procedure is the right choice for you. Semmel Oral and Facial Surgery can also plan any restoration work following your tooth extraction in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Extraction Procedure

Before the extraction begins, our oral surgeon will the numb the site using a local anesthetic. The patient will still be able to feel pressure from the actual removal of the tooth. However, if you do feel any pain, please let our oral surgeon know immediately.

Tooth Sectioning

Occasionally, the teeth cannot be removed in one piece. This requires our oral surgeon to divide and remove it in sections.

After Tooth Extraction

  1. Avoid strenuous activity in the two to three days following surgery and keep your head upright.
  2. Keep hydrated, though you should avoid hot drinks in the two days following surgery.
  3. To reduce swelling, apply ice for 20 minutes, take off for another 20 minutes, and then repeat.
  4. Blood may appear in your saliva in the two days after surgery.
  5. Discomfort, swelling, bruising or pain might appear in the days following your extraction but should start to decrease after the third day.
  6. Do not use a straw, spit or rinse vigorously in the week following your procedure.
  7. Only use the cleansing syringe to flush the site after the third day.
  8. Patients may experience a mild fever following their extraction.
  9. If you are given narcotic medication for pain, do not consume any alcoholic drinks. Take medication and antibiotics as prescribed.
  10. If the site is still bleeding, bite on the gauze for a period of 20 minutes. If necessary, you can then bite down on a moistened tea bag for a half hour. Reach out to our office if you still experience prolonged bleeding.
  11. Pulling at the cheeks or lips can also pull at the sutures. Avoid this to prevent the site from reopening.
  12. Patients can wear restoration appliances like dentures as long as our oral surgeon has adjusted them accordingly. If temporary restoration appliances become uncomfortable, feel free to remove them.

If you need to find out more about tooth extractions and surgery recovery, call 910-509-1422.

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Map Icon1422 Commonwealth Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403