Category: Tooth Extraction

Is It Safe to Drive After a Tooth Extraction – Topeka Oral Surgery

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Is It Safe to Drive After a Tooth Extraction - Topeka Oral Surgery

Medical procedures can bring up many questions, especially when planning for a tooth extraction without sedation.
Do you need time off work or school? How long will the procedure take? Can you drive yourself to and from the appointment?
Whether it’s safe to drive after a tooth extraction depends on the type of anesthesia your oral surgeon uses during the procedure.

Types of Anesthesia

There are different types of anesthesia mentioned below. Your oral surgeon will choose the best anesthesia based on how complex the extraction and based on your medical history. Here’s a quick guide:

Local anesthesia

This is when we inject lidocaine around the tooth that is being extracted. This means you can drive yourself to and from your appointment without worrying about safety because the anesthesia doesn’t affect your overall alertness.

Minimal sedation

We commonly use nitrous oxide - aka laughing gas. After this type of sedation, you should still be safe to drive home because it doesn’t leave you feeling groggy or impaired

Moderate to Deep Sedation:

This type uses a pill or IV to make you feel like you’re in a light sleep. It can make you feel drowsy and confused for a few hours afterward. It’s important to arrange for a ride home because you shouldn’t drive until you’re completely alert and the effects have worn off.

If your procedure requires sedation, your oral surgeon will inform you in advance. This way, you can arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns about the type of anesthesia that will be used, make sure to ask your provider before the procedure.

Topeka Oral Surgery is Here for Your Tooth Extractions

If you need a simple tooth extraction without sedation or a more complicated one, our expert team at Topeka Oral Surgery can help. Our skilled oral surgeons have a lot of experience with all types of tooth extractions and other oral surgeries. We are dedicated to providing high quality oral surgery.

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Appointment

      Hours of Operation

      Monday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Tuesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Wednesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Thursday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Saturday: By Appointment
      Sunday: Closed
      Monday - Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
      Saturday: By Appointment
      Sunday: Closed

      Can a Broken Loose Tooth Be Saved ?

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      Can a Broken Loose Tooth Be Saved ?

      Losing a tooth unexpectedly, whether through an accident or injury, can be a distressing experience. However, it doesn’t have to mark the end of your smile. Factors like the time the tooth was out, its condition, and any associated injuries play a role in the possibility of successful replantation. By following essential guidelines on handling, storing, and replanting the tooth, you can significantly increase the chances of restoring it to your smile. Topeka Oral Surgery explores the possibility of saving a broken loose tooth or replacing it with a dental implant in this blog.

      Handling Tips

      Act swiftly when dealing with a knocked-out tooth; time is crucial. Start by ensuring the tooth’s preservation and protection, as this significantly impacts the chance of successful replantation. You can place the tooth in milk, balanced salt solution, your cheek, or saline. The goal is to reimplant immediately but if cannot then keep the tooth moist and seek a provider to reimplant the avulsed tooth within hours.

      Here are key tips to remember:

      Handle with care:

      Avoid touching the delicate roots; instead, hold the tooth by its crown, the chewing surface to minimize trauma to the root surface or contamination.

      Rinse gently:

      If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with water while handling the chewing surface. Avoid soap, chemicals, or vigorous scrubbing to prevent further damage.

      Proper storage is vital to enhance the likelihood of successful replantation. There are several options available:

      Cheek placement:

      Keep the tooth gently next to your cheek to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. This method is effective if you can promptly see your emergency dentist or oral surgeon.

      Saliva preservation:

      If placing the tooth in your mouth isn't feasible, store it in a clean container covered with saliva. Saliva helps maintain moisture and vitality until dental care is sought.

      Emergency preservation kit:

      If other options aren't possible, use an emergency tooth preservation kit from pharmacies. These kits provide an optimal environment for short-term storage, maximizing chances of successful replantation.

      Immediate Dental Attention

      After rinsing and storing the tooth, seek prompt dental attention. An oral surgeon or dentist specializing in emergency care can replant the tooth if it’s healthy and uninfected.
      Though losing a tooth can be emotionally challenging, remember that there are options available, and caring professionals are ready to assist you through the restoration process. Contact an oral surgeon specializing in facial trauma promptly to schedule a replantation visit. Time is critical; delaying care increases the risk of irreversible damage and requires a dental implant to replace the avulsed tooth. Topeka Oral Surgery offers advanced solutions for facial trauma, including replanting knocked-out teeth or replacing lost teeth with dental implants when replantation isn’t feasible. Contact Topeka Oral Surgery today to begin your healing journey together.

      Request an Appointment

      Appointment

          Hours of Operation

          Monday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Tuesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Wednesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Thursday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Saturday: By Appointment
          Sunday: Closed
          Monday - Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
          Saturday: By Appointment
          Sunday: Closed

          When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?

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          When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?

          Sometimes, even if you try hard to take care of your teeth, you might still need to get a tooth pulled out.

          When Topeka Oral Surgery suggests taking out a tooth, it’s because they have a good reason to do so, which more often than not is due to there not being enough space or simply because a tooth is unrestorable.

          Severe Decay

          Severe tooth decay happens when acid and plaque stick to your teeth. Signs of decay include:
          • Toothaches
          • Bad breath
          • Sensitivity
          • Dark spots on your teeth
          • Strange tastes in your mouth
          Even if decay doesn’t hurt, it’s important to see your dentist often to catch it early. If a tooth is too decayed to save, it might need to be pulled out or it may need a root canal treatment to help remove infection from the tooth’s pulp.

          Severe Impaction - Disturbance in Eruption

          When you’re a baby, your teeth start coming through your gums. If a tooth doesn’t come in or only partly comes in, it’s called an impacted tooth.

          Impacted teeth can get stuck in your gums or bone for different reasons, such as not having enough room in your mouth. This often happens with wisdom teeth, but it can happen to any tooth. Symptoms are like those of decay but usually hurt more:

          • Pain in your jaw or gums
          • Headaches and jaw pain
          • Swollen gums
          • Swollen lymph nodes

          You might notice a gap where the tooth should be, but usually, only your dentist can tell for sure.

          Impacted teeth can push into other teeth, causing more problems. They can also trap food and plaque. If an impacted tooth is causing big problems, it might need to be taken out. Not all impacted teeth need to be removed and thus that is why a consultation and 3D imaging are quite important.

          Misalignment Of The Smile

          Sometimes, there’s not enough room in your mouth for all your teeth to line up nicely. This makes your teeth push against each other and move out of place, messing up your smile.  Coordination with the orthodontist can allow strategic extraction to help level and align an ideal smile if there is inadeqaute space.

          If you want to know more about getting a tooth pulled, check out Topeka Oral Surgery’s website

          Request an Appointment

          Appointment

              Hours of Operation

              Monday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Tuesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Wednesday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Thursday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Saturday: By Appointment
              Sunday: Closed
              Monday - Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM
              Saturday: By Appointment
              Sunday: Closed