Extraction of Problem, Diseased, or Decayed Teeth in Raleigh

While the priority of dental professionals is to save your teeth, in some cases, a tooth, doctors at Renaissance Dental Center may need to be removed to prevent further damage from occurring. Removing a tooth can be a relatively easy procedure for most patients, but for those with anxiety or stress related to visiting the dentist can pose additional problems for patients. Most dental professionals would agree that the more information a patient has about a dental procedure, the more comfortable they are with treatments and procedures.

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Renaissance Dental Center is located in Raleigh, NC but graciously provide comprehensive Dental Services to all surrounding areas including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner.

Why Remove Teeth?

Drs. Abernethy, Sonner & Wells share a joined passion for only the highest quality of dentistry on your journey towards optimal oral health.

Teeth may need to be removed for many reasons. One reason might be that a tooth, or several teeth, have fallen victim to gum disease. Gum disease (periodontal disease)occurs when bacteria has become lodged between teeth and beneath the gums. When left untreated, the bacteria can turn to tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.

If tartar is not removed, it can lead to gum disease, significant bone and gum loss and eventually tooth loss. Another reason why a patient might need to have teeth removed is that the tooth has become broken due to accident or injury, and it cannot be repaired.

If teeth are not growing properly or if they are impeding the progress of other teeth, it might be advisable to remove the tooth or teeth to make room for the incoming teeth. Other reasons to remove a tooth include tooth decay beyond repair, failing root canal, fracture, or there isn’t enough room for the teeth, as is usually the case when dealing with wisdom teeth extractions.

Extraction Process

The decision to remove a tooth should not be taken lightly. Patients should discuss extraction as a last resort with their dentist to understand the pros and cons of removal. There are two basic types of tooth extractions that are performed in most dental offices.

One type is a simple extraction that can be completed by numbing the jaw, nerves, and tissue surrounding the tooth that is going to be removed. Using special tools to grip the tooth, a dentist can remove a tooth in a few minutes.

For more stubborn teeth, especially molars, oral surgery may be required to use general anesthesia to remove the tooth. This is a common procedure when removing wisdom teeth, or for people who have anxiety related to dental visits and surgery.

Most patients will experience some “pressure” from the extraction process, but there will be no pain associated with the procedure. Following the tooth extraction, most patients use over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain and swelling associated with the procedure.

For wisdom teeth extraction or molar extraction, Dentists at RDC will often prescribe medication to manage the pain and swelling of the tooth extraction. In some cases, teeth that have not erupted and are not visible inside of your mouth, known as impacted teeth, need to be removed to prevent future problems or to make room for teeth to move into place naturally. If necessary, sutures and/or packing will be placed to control bleeding and aid in the healing process.

Children and Tooth Extraction

Removing a tooth from a child's mouth is a common occurrence in a dental office, especially while children's teeth are still erupting and moving into their proper place. Dentists at RDC will often use a local anesthetic to "freeze" the area where the tooth will be removed, and within a few minutes, primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, can be removed quickly and easily.

Children are often nervous about having a tooth extracted, so in some instances, nitrous oxide may be given to help relax the child during the procedure. Speaking to the dentist about options for children is vital to ensure a smooth process for everyone involved.

Tooth Extraction Risks

For the most part, having a tooth or several teeth removed is relatively simple. It's what can come after the tooth extraction that can cause problems for many dental patients. One issue that patients might encounter after having a tooth removed is that other teeth will start to move into the space that is left vacant.

If this isn't the intended outcome, as with removing teeth to make room for new teeth, then it can cause problems for patients. Another risk that is associated with extracting teeth is that it can impact the way people chew their food and the way they speak. It can also change the look on someone's face if the tooth or teeth that were removed are in the front of the mouth.

Additionally, patients may experience problems such as a dry socket, which is an infection that sets in when the space left by the tooth removal procedure doesn't heal properly.

Finally, patients who have teeth removed and opt not to replace the teeth may suffer from bone loss, which can lead to the loss of surrounding teeth and can reduce the likelihood of being able to replace the missing tooth with final solutions such as dental implants later in life.

HOME CARE AFTER AN EXTRACTION

Bleeding

Depending on the size and difficulty related to removing a tooth, some patients might experience bleeding following the extraction procedure. Patients can expect a socket to continue to bleed or “ooze” for a few hours following the removal process. Using gauze to control the bleeding is advisable and an easy way to control the bleeding.

Blot Clots

Patients will need to watch for blood clots developing in the empty socket following a tooth extraction. If a blood clot forms, patients should not remove the clot; bleeding may begin again and be difficult to stop. Clotting is natural and necessary to heal the area following an extraction.

Eating

Patients will need to avoid drinking hot liquids for up to 24 hours following a tooth extraction, and they should not suck through a straw or do any heavy rinsing or swishing for at least 48-72 hours. Patients should not smoke either.

Brushing & Cleaning

Brushing teeth around the extracted area is not recommended within the first 24 hours; patients can typically return to their usual oral care routine after a few days.

The dentist will be able to provide patients with a full post-operative instruction list following a tooth extraction to reduce the risk of side effects and issues related to the extraction process.

Within one or two weeks, most patients will resume with regular activities and experience no problems as a result of the tooth extraction process.

MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE ARTISTS

Meet Dr. Abernethy

Anna Abernethy, DDS

Dr. Abernethy grew up in Concord, North Carolina, however, she has called Raleigh "home" for the past 20 years. She came to Raleigh to attend college and graduated from Meredith College Magna Cum Laude in 2001 with a BS in biology and a minor in chemical physics.

Meet Dr. Sonner

Jill Sonner, DDS

Dr. Sonner was born and raised in Raleigh NC, and she attended both UNC Wilmington and North Carolina State University. She received her undergraduate degree from NCSU in 1999 with high honors, obtaining a BS in Biological Sciences. During college she supported research staff at NIEHS and performed an independent study focusing on Diabetes.

Meet Dr. Wells

Anita Jones Wells, DDS

Dr. Wells is a North Carolina native who grew up in the Pinehurst area and has spent the past 10 years studying and practicing dentistry in Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she completed both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Dental Surgery, graduating with honors.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES OFFERED

General Dentistry

We each enjoy doing a broad range of procedures. This allows us to provide many services in-house rather than referring patients out as much as possible. From simple tooth colored fillings to surgical procedures, we enjoy offering a range of options for our patients.

Cosmetic Dentistry

We have all devoted many hours to advanced training under the direction of Frank Spear who is world renowned for cosmetic repair of the most worn or severely damaged teeth. We appreciate the impact a beautiful attractive smile has on one’s self confidence and can deliver remarkable cosmetic results for people needing a various degrees of smile design.

Dental Implants

We have each received our implant fellowship with the International Dental Implant Association under the direction of Oral Surgeon Dr. Garg and have been placing dental implants since 2005. Implants are a rehabilitative option for patients needing to replace missing teeth or anchor dentures.

Dental Grafting

We offer a minimally invasive alternative option for covering exposed roots caused by recession that does not involve extensive roof of the mouth grafting, called the Gumdrop Technique.

Sedation Dentistry

Dental procedures can be often overwhelming due to phobia, and needed appointments to the dental office are often delayed or even avoided entirely. Our office offers multiple levels of sedation to make sure you're visiting as often as suggested.

Dental Crowns

Your smile may become damaged, decayed, or need cosmetic repair and jeopardizing your oral health. Dental crowns are the perfect solution for such patients. Restore your teeth back to a beautiful and healthy shine.

Porcelain Veneers

Sometimes aspects of your teeth cannot be changed as easily. In these cases, to get the healthy cosmetic smile you're looking for porcelain veneers are the perfect solution.

CEREC & CAD/CAM

We have been using digital impressions and 3D printing since 2010. This technique allows us to eliminate many steps that commonly amount to error. Computer aided design allows us to make and deliver restorations in the same visit preventing additional appointments and taking advantage of the patient being numbed only one time.

Teeth Whitening

In today’s world, white teeth are the norm and if yours are yellow or discolored it affects your self confidence. Something as simple as whitening can drastically change your appeal. In the past most of the whitening options caused tooth sensitivity. We offer an array of choices that are tailored to avoid sensitivity while giving you the best outcome.

Laser Therapies

We all hate those dreadful fever blisters. Did you know if you laser them when you feel that very first tingle they won’t erupt? Suffer no more from unsightly sores, we offer this as quick and painless option.