Tooth Extractions in Cupertino

Ryan Senft, DDS provides tooth extractions in Cupertino, CA. Call 408-996-8595 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Thanks to advanced technology, there are incredible, natural-looking artificial tooth replacements available. Though nothing can truly replace a natural tooth. This is why dentists do everything possible to try to save a tooth before resorting to extraction. 

Sometimes a tooth cannot be restored and must be removed.

When a tooth is broken or has significant decay, the ideal solution is to restore it using a filling, crown, or other procedure. If restoration is not possible or advisable due to the condition of the tooth, an extraction may be recommended to prevent infection and achieve or maintain oral health.

Extractions are performed with the use of local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. The tooth is then gently loosened and removed. Stitches are sometimes needed, and may dissolve or require removal at a follow-up appointment.

Believe it or not, there are benefits to having your tooth removed.

• Removing the infection entirely from your mouth. 
• Relieve your pain and discomfort. 
• Improving your overall level of oral health by removing the infection

As your mouth begins to heal after the extraction procedure, you will need to start thinking about what’s next. You cannot leave a space where the tooth was, as this invites the surrounding teeth to begin shifting. Without any support, there is nothing to stop them – and this can throw off your bite alignment and lead to issues with your temporomandibular joint. 

Discuss the next steps with your dentist. This may involve bone grafting, a dental implant, a dental bridge, or something else.

After your tooth extraction, you may experience some mild discomfort. This should be relieved easily through over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If prescribed an antibiotic, you will want to take that as well to clear up any infection. 

Stick to soft food for at least 2 to 3 days, eating slowly and carefully to avoid the surgical site. Limit physical activity for at least 24 hours, but preferably for a couple of days. Be sure to maintain your oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing regularly. Just be careful around the extraction site. 

• Avoid drinking from straws
• Don’t aggressively rinse
• Don’t smoke
• Leave the extraction site alone

With a little rest and relaxation, you should be feeling better in no time.

No. A local anesthetic is used to ensure that you don’t feel anything during the procedure. Afterward, as the anesthetic begins to wear off, you may experience some minor discomfort, but an over-the-counter pain reliever should provide you relief.

You should generally give the area 2 to 3 days to clot and begin healing. As long as you have taken care to eat soft foods and have been gentle with the area, you should be able to return to your normal routine. Keep in mind that it may take several weeks for the soft tissue to fully heal. 

Yes. While it doesn’t happen often, the extraction site can become infected. If it does, you may experience a few of the following symptoms anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks after the procedure: 

• Pain
• Fever
• Redness
• Swelling

As with any procedure, there are a few risks associated with tooth extraction. Often, however, if your dentist is recommending the procedure, then the benefits outweigh the risks – the risk of dry socket, bleeding, or infection. If you experience any of these, you should contact our office immediately.

Call 408-996-8595 to schedule your appointment.