The goal at Laurel Canyon Dental, Darien Ephram DDS is to provide our patients with services and education about their oral health that will keep their teeth healthy for many, many years. It’s never our preference to remove a tooth unless we’ve exhausted all our conservative options.
However, circumstances do arise where a tooth is so badly damaged that extraction is our only option. There are a number of circumstances where Dr. Ephram may recommend extracting a tooth:
- A broken or decayed tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a root canal or similar procedure.
- A tooth has grown at an odd angle and threatens the position of other healthy teeth.
- We’re treating advanced gum disease, and extraction is needed to save the gums and the rest of the teeth.
- We’re preparing for orthodontic treatment and need to remove some teeth for the best results.
- A wisdom tooth has erupted in such a way that it can start crowding surrounding teeth.
Your Concerns Are Important to Us
Dr. Ephram and our team have performed many gentle, comfortable tooth extractions. With a procedure like tooth extraction, we’ll make sure that you’re completely numb before we begin treatment so you won’t feel any pain.
We know you’re probably still a little intimidated by the idea of the procedure. We’re used to helping our apprehensive patients, and we know that a big dose of compassionate care from our team goes a long way toward helping you relax.
We’ve found that our gentle approach and concern for our patient’s well-being are usually all that’s needed to help them get through a procedure like tooth extraction comfortably and with a minimum of stress. Rest assured – we’re here to provide you with all the support you need to relax during your procedure.
Post-Procedure Recovery
Extraction is typically performed using local anesthesia, and we’ll do everything possible to minimize your recovery time. Before you leave our office, we’ll provide you with a list of instructions to follow at home.
We usually recommend that for a day or two after your extraction you plan to eat soft foods, like yogurt and soups, that don’t require chewing. Avoid drinking through a straw because the sucking action increases your risk of bleeding and other complications.
Call to Get the Help You Need
We understand that the idea of having a tooth extracted can be a bit overwhelming. We want to help you understand all possible options before we decide to remove a tooth. If we find that extraction is the only solution, we’ll work with you to find a tooth replacement to fill the empty space in your smile.
We offer emergency treatment at our 12156 Riverside Drive dental office, so if you’re currently in pain, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll get you in to see us so we can get you the relief you need as quickly as possible.
