Teeth Extractions in Fayetteville, AR

You’ll notice improvement over the days following an extraction, but complete healing below the gum takes longer. We’ll give you instructions on how to care for the socket while your body forms new tissue and repairs the area. During early recovery, we recommend rest, soft foods, gentle oral hygiene, and no strenuous activity as directed. Contact us if pain or swelling gets worse instead of better or if you experience unusual bleeding or other concerns. Every procedure is different, so we can give you a better estimate of healing time after we evaluate the tooth and complete the extraction.

We use local anesthesia to numb the area so you shouldn’t feel sharp pain while the tooth is being removed. You may feel pressure or movement as we loosen and remove the tooth, especially during a standard extraction. For more complex surgery or patients with dental anxiety, we can discuss comfort options based on the procedure and your medical history. Some soreness and swelling can be normal after the anesthesia wears off, and we’ll explain how to manage these symptoms at home. If you experience severe or increasing pain after treatment, contact us so we can check for complications such as infection or dry socket.

We recommend soft foods during the early stage of recovery as they require less chewing and are less likely to irritate the socket. Choose foods that can be eaten comfortably without putting pressure on the extraction area and chew on the opposite side when possible. Avoid hard, sharp foods or foods that can get stuck around the healing socket until the area has recovered enough for your normal diet. Follow our instructions regarding alcohol and other drinks or habits that can interfere with the blood clot or healing process. We will give you specific aftercare instructions as the diet may vary depending on the number and location of teeth removed.

We may recommend a surgical extraction when a tooth can’t be removed through a standard extraction, such as when it’s impacted, broken below the gum line, or difficult to reach. Impacted wisdom teeth are a common example, as they may be partly or completely under the gum or bone when there’s not enough space in the jaw. During the surgery, a small incision may be made in the gum to access the tooth, and additional steps may be necessary. More complex cases may require additional planning or care from an oral surgeon depending on the patient’s needs. We determine the best approach after examining your mouth, reviewing your medical history, and assessing the tooth and surrounding jawbone.

After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the socket and protects the area while healing begins. Not every extracted tooth needs to be replaced, and wisdom teeth are a common example of teeth that usually don’t need to be replaced after removal. When another natural tooth is lost, we may discuss replacement options as missing teeth can affect chewing, your bite, and the position of other teeth. Depending on your oral health, available bone and treatment goals, possible options may include dental implants, partial dentures, or another suitable restoration. We can discuss these options during your consultation or after the extraction area has had time to heal.