Hearing that a tooth may need to come out can be unsettling. Sometimes a tooth is too broken, decayed, infected, or poorly positioned to repair predictably. An examination and X-ray help us understand the root, the surrounding bone, and whether saving the tooth is still a realistic option.
Before you go home
The area is numbed before the tooth is removed. Depending on the tooth and your health, we may recommend that an oral surgeon or another specialist handle the procedure. We’ll let you know what to expect before we begin rather than surprising you in the chair.
Afterward, you’ll receive instructions for protecting the blood clot while the area begins to heal, including guidance about food, cleaning, smoking, and drinking through a straw. We’ll also tell you whom to call if bleeding, swelling, or pain is not following the expected course. If replacing the tooth would help your bite or appearance, that conversation can happen once the immediate problem is under control.