Extractions in Phoenix, AZ

Extractions are a type of oral surgery used to remove teeth. Your permanent teeth are tough and meant to last a lifetime, but they’re also susceptible to damage and decay. If you develop an infection, or if your wisdom teeth are impacted or crowd your other teeth, Dr. Gwilt might recommend extractions to reduce the risk of future complications.

Dr. Gwilt and his team have years of experience performing oral surgery. They conduct all procedures on an outpatient basis and offer both local and general anesthesia to help patients relax.

Before recommending tooth extractions, Dr. Gwilt conducts an oral exam, reviews your dental health history, and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and if any activities like biting or chewing make them worse.

If these measures don’t provide enough insight into your condition, Dr. Gwilt might also order digital X-rays to assess the health of your tooth roots, jaw, and gums. Let Dr. Gwilt know if you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or kidney disease.

These and other ailments may increase the risk of surgical complications.

Dr. Gwilt and the team offer several types of extractions, including:

✓ Simple extractions

A simple extraction is quick and virtually pain-free. First, Dr. Gwilt administers local or general anesthesia. Once you’re comfortable, he gently loosens your tooth with a tool called an elevator. Then, Dr. Gwilt carefully removes it with forceps.

✓ Surgical extractions

If you have impacted wisdom teeth or other teeth that aren’t able to break through your gum line, Dr. Gwilt performs a surgical extraction. Before treatment, he administers local or general anesthesia.

When the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Gwilt makes an incision in your gum tissue and carefully sections your impacted tooth (or teeth) into several pieces.

After sectioning your teeth, Dr. Gwilt removes each piece, one at a time, with forceps. Then, he stitches up the incision and packs it with clean gauze.

Following extractions, Dr. Gwilt sends you home with medication and care instructions. For the first 24-48 hours, eat only soft foods like mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs. Take your medication as prescribed and avoid biting down on your surgical site.

Avoid drinking from a straw for at least a week to limit the risk of a dry socket.

Most people recover from tooth extractions within a few days, but it can take up to a week. Be patient and attend each subsequent appointment as scheduled.

To see if you qualify for extractions, make an appointment at Tooth Corps by calling the office or scheduling online.