What are the facts, Mississauga asks, about tooth removal

Posted By: Dr. Rina M. Kotecha | Published On: Jun 11, 2019 | Extractions

The concept is simple – removal of a tooth from its socket in the jaw bone. However, there is a little more to the procedure than that. Dr. Rina Kotecha, the dentist Mississauga families trust for reliable information and advice, shares these facts about tooth removal.

Purpose of tooth removal

Millions of teeth are extracted each year for reasons such as:

To make space in a crowded bite.
To aid in the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.
To removed badly decayed teeth.
To eliminate problematic wisdom teeth.

Sadly, extractions are sometimes requested for economic reasons. Dr. Rina believes that every patient deserves a healthy natural smile, so she offers payment plans and financing options to preserve teeth when there is a reasonable alternative to extraction.

Other important information about extractions

Preparation – If the infection is present, Dr. Rina may prescribe a pre-procedure course of antibiotics. If you have had heart surgery, placement of a shunt, or joint replacement please ask your physician if you must take antibiotics prior to extraction. Stop taking blood thinners (including aspirin) for three days prior to your appointment and wear comfortable clothing for the visit. Dr. Rina will let you know if you should forego food or water prior to the procedure, and if you will need a driver.
Technique – In most cases Dr. Rina is able to loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator; then lift and remove it easily with forceps. Because your wellbeing is her top priority, if the extraction is very complex, she may provide a referral to a qualified oral surgeon.
Aftercare – It is vital for a blood clot to form at the socket of an extracted tooth, to protect delicate nerves from air and food contamination. To encourage clot formation bite gently on a pad of sterile gauze for a few hours after extraction. Do not drink with a straw, rinse, spit, or smoke for at least 24 hours. Eat soft foods and avoid vigorous exercise for a few days. Clean your mouth gently with a soft toothbrush but do not scrub the extraction site.
Normal results – You may have facial swelling, stiff jaw muscles, and minor mouth discomfort. Use ice packs for the first 72 hours, then moist heat and gentle jaw exercise. Dr. Rina may recommend over the counter analgesics or prescription pain medication. The wound typically closes in about two weeks, and bone and soft tissues fully restructure within six months.
Potential risks – As with any medical procedure, there is some risk of secondary infection. Other potential complications include temporary numbness, jaw fracture, or dry socket. Be assured that Dr. Rina and her team at Dentistry on 10 maintain the highest sanitary and patient care standards to minimize risk of complications.

If you are in pain or contemplating tooth removal for other reasons, get the facts you need to make an informed decision. Call Dentistry on 10 at (905) 455-9262 for an appointment with Dr. Rina – your trusted partner in oral health.

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Hi, my name is Naren. I have been coming to dentistry on 10 for at least five years, probably a lot longer than that. I first heard about Doctor Rena, through a friend of mine who was my roommate back in college and the, the, thing that attracted me to her right off the bat is she went to Harvard of course, you know Harvard is one of the top schools in the world, so you know studying at Harvard and Learning dentistry Harvard, I’ve never met anybody who went to Harvard, so that was the number one thing. But when I came here, it’s not the Harvard that I ended up staying here for. It’s because she’s a very caring person and she has a team that really is caring. So, for example, you know I, I, have some health conditions and you know taking care of my gums is really, really, important and I’m like not that good at taking care of myself. So you know she just, just, stuck with me, just kept at me and, you know, just taught me things and talk to me about things and you know. And when I did, you know, kind of mess up and you know, get gum disease again. You know she you know, stuck with me. So, like for me personally, I know people come for dentistry for lots of reasons, some people you know, care about their smile and things like that. For me personally, it’s the health because I have a history of health issues in my family and I know the importance of, you know, taking care of your gums and you overall mouth and health so I would strongly recommend Doctor Rena if you really care about your health. If you really want somebody who’s not just trying to, you know, give you things you don’t need, but really, who’s trying to focus on what’s good for you, helping you achieve your goals. She’s very caring, very, very patient, very, very, gentle and, and, she’s there for you. So, it’s almost like having a partner in health who’s working with you to make your life better. So, we all need it, and especially as we get older when we are in our 40s and 50s, we need to take care of our health and without doctor Rena I don’t think I would have the comes I have and I don’t think I would be working on my health. Thank you very much Doctor Rena and I would, absolutely without a hesitation, recommend anybody and my entire family comes here as well as my two kids and My wife. So, thank you for being an amazing dentist and thank you for caring about people who live in the neighbourhood and their health.

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