Extractions

Before having any tooth removed, Dr. Katabi will speak with you about the needed procedure. He will make sure that you understand why you are in the office and why a recommended procedure is appropriate for your situation. He will be sure that you are as comfortable as possible with the suggestions he is making before he begins.

At this time Dr. Katabi will make suggestions regarding the type of anesthetic that would be best for your particular circumstance. For example, a general anesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of your wisdom teeth will be removed at one time. A general anesthetic will help to decrease your anxiety and allow for you to sleep throughout the whole procedure. You will be a little groggy after the use of a general anesthetic, therefore you must have a responsible adult with you so that you will get home safely. If having general anesthesia for your procedure, we require that you don't eat or drink for 6-8 hours before surgery, so you are prepared for the anesthetic.

Instead of using a general anesthetic for your procedure you may decide that using a local anesthetic by itself is most appropriate for your situation. This entails numbing the area around the tooth so that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Depending on your situation, Dr. Katabi will make anesthetic recommendations based on what he believes will be best for you.

There are different types of teeth that may need to be removed in your mouth. Wisdom teeth are one of these types and are commonly removed because most people do not have enough space in their mouths for them. Often, to remove a wisdom tooth, Dr. Katabi may need to open up the gum tissue over the tooth and take out bone that is covering the tooth. He may need to separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then remove the tooth. Sometimes it will be necessary for Dr. Katabi to cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. Extractations of other teeth typically do not involve removal of gum tissue or seperation of the tooth, they are usually less extensive procedures. Again, Dr. Katabi will make sure that you fully understand what your situation involves and will make you feel comfortable no matter the circumstance.

After a tooth is removed, you may need stitches. Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed after a few days. Dr. Katabi will let you know which was used for your procedure. A folded cotton gauze pad will be placed over the wound to help stop any bleeding that may occur.

What To Expect After Surgery
In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. You will often be prescribed antibiotic and pain medications by Dr. Katabi. The following tips will help your recovery.

• For the first 24 hours you should expect to bleed on and off. Biting gently on gauze for about 20 minutes when bleeding occurs will help clotting to occur. You may find that you are bleeding once in awhile for about seven days, for example this may occur when you brush your teeth or begin to eat solid foods, this is nothing to be worried about. If bleeding is not occasional and seems to soak gauze pads with blood after the first 24 hour period you should call the office for further instruction. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek, lip, or tongue.
• Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows.
• To help with swelling use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 48 hours. You can use moist heat-such as a washcloth soaked in warm water and wrung out- on the 3rd day; this will help you with increasing movement in your jaw.
• Relax for a few days after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
• Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as healing progresses.
• Do not drink through a bottle or straw for the first few days. Sucking on bottles or straws can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.
• After the first day, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. In addition, smoking decreases the blood supply and can bring germs and contaminants to the surgery area.
• Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or touching it with your fingers.
• Continue to brush your teeth and tongue carefully. This will help to keep your mouth free of germs.

Why It Is Done
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. When wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems can occur:

Your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.
Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can become trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. These are signs of infection.
More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or the development of a cyst. One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.

Other teeth may be removed for different reasons such as decay or chronic infection. Usually there has been pain associated with teeth such as these and you have been working with your general dentist regarding the appropriate course of action. Dr. Katabi will work with you in this same way and help you to decide what is best for your situation.

How Well It Works
Wisdom tooth removal usually is effective in preventing:

• Crowding of the back teeth.
• A wisdom tooth becoming stuck in the jaw (impacted) and never breaking through the gums.
• Red, swollen, and painful gums caused by a flap of skin around a wisdom tooth that has only partially come in.
• Gum disease and tooth decay in the wisdom tooth-which may be harder to clean than other teeth-or in the teeth and jaw in the area of the wisdom tooth.