Wisdom Teeth
& Extractions in the Belvidere/Rockford Area

Painless, Beneficial Tooth Extractions

At Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry, we understand that the idea of having a tooth extracted can cause trepidation. One of the main goals of modern dentistry is to prevent oral disease and preserve your natural teeth, but sometimes, certain teeth cause too many health problems for them to remain in your mouth. That’s why at Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry, our dentists offer painless and beneficial tooth extraction.

What Is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction refers to the processes for removing teeth using surgical and non-surgical means. Simple (non-surgical) tooth extraction involves removing teeth without making incisions into the gum tissue to access the tooth. Surgical tooth extraction requires incisions to be made in the gums to properly access all parts of the tooth for extraction.

Benefits of Tooth Extraction

Rest assured that our dentists will never perform any extraction unless it’s beneficial to your oral health. Fortunately, tooth extractions can have many benefits, some of which include:

  • Alleviating pain, sensitivity, and throbbing
  • Preparing your mouth for restorative options such as dental implants and bridges
  • Aiding orthodontic treatments like Invisalign®
  • Preventing the spread of infection and other oral diseases
  • Helping a tooth erupt properly

Who Needs a Tooth Extraction?

You may require a tooth extraction if you have:

  • An impacted wisdom tooth
  • Damaged, decayed, or overcrowded teeth
  • Severe dental trauma
  • A primary tooth that fails to erupt properly
  • Periodontal or gum disease

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal is the most common reason for tooth extractions. Wisdom teeth are the third set of back molars and the last set of permanent teeth that come in. Typically, your wisdom teeth develop between the ages of 17-25 years old. While certain individuals may never experience problems with their wisdom teeth, the way the human mouth has developed means wisdom teeth don’t always have room to come in properly.

When these molars don’t have room to grow, it can lead to impaction. An impacted wisdom tooth is fixed below the gum line and may even grow sideways or only partially erupt. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause oral health issues such as:

  • Crowding, damage, or decay in adjacent teeth
  • Tooth infection
  • Pain
  • Inflamed or swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Cysts

Impaction can occur in teeth besides the wisdom teeth as well, but it’s more common in wisdom teeth due to the lack of room for them in most mouths. Impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted through surgical means, or they can continue to cause problems.

The Tooth Extraction Process

Consultation

Before any extractions take place, you’ll undergo an initial consultation with one of our dentists. During your consultation, they’ll thoroughly examine your mouth, review your medical history, and discuss sedation options and your smile goals with you. The information your dentist gathers will allow them to determine if a tooth extraction is right for you or whether an alternative treatment is recommended.

Preparation

Before any teeth are extracted, our dentist will ask you to rinse your mouth out to clear it of debris. Then, we’ll administer a local anesthetic, as well as any in-office sedation options you may have chosen. If you took a sedative at home, we’ll ensure it’s working properly alongside your anesthetic before the next step of the procedure.

Tooth Extraction

For simple tooth extraction, your dentist will use special tools to grasp, loosen, and extract the tooth from its socket.  For surgical tooth extraction, your dentist will make an incision into your gums to fully expose every portion of the tooth. In certain cases, your dentist may need to remove portions of bone or break the tooth into smaller pieces to make extraction easier. After the tooth is removed, we’ll clean and disinfect the area, and apply a gauze pad to promote healing.

Aftercare

Your dentist will give you specific instructions that you’ll need to follow based on your individual case. Some of the general rules our dentists recommend after extraction include:

  1. Attend follow-up exams.
  2. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
  3. Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
  4. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.
  5. Use over-the-counter pain medication to control pain and discomfort.
  6. Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed.
  7. Gently rinse your mouth using one teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8oz of warm water or an antimicrobial mouthwash three to four times a day after you eat.
  8. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, and sucking on straws for the first 72 hours after your procedure.
  9. Don’t touch the surgical site when you brush and floss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chapko & Shah Modern Dentistry

530 S State St #101
Belvidere, IL 61008

Office Hours

Mon
9am – 6pm
Tue
8am – 6pm
Wed
8am – 6pm
Thu
8am – 4pm
Fri
8am – 12pm
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