Tooth Extraction in Wilmette, IL

Our mission at Wilmette Dental Institute is to save and protect your natural teeth for a lifetime, if possible. While we believe that preserving your teeth is always the best choice, there are situations when extraction is the safest and most effective solution to protect your smile.

Understanding the Reasons for Tooth Extraction

As a dentist passionate about his patients’ well-being, Dr. Nolan Patel’s goal is to ensure your mouth is healthy and pain-free. Sometimes, a tooth is so damaged or decayed that it is unsalvageable and leaving it in threatens your oral health.

Reasons for extraction may include:

• Tooth decay that's too widespread for a filling or root canal
• Wisdom teeth that cause pain or crowding
• Severe tooth infection or abscess that we can’t treat with a root canal
• Relieve tooth overcrowding to prepare for orthodontics 
• Prepare for dentures or dental implants

Why We Might Recommend Removing Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often emerge in the late teens or early twenties. Because they’re the last teeth to appear, they frequently lack sufficient room to develop properly. 

Sometimes, wisdom teeth get stuck in the gum (impacted), which can cause discomfort and potentially harm neighboring teeth. Wisdom teeth can also increase your risk of cavities and gum disease because they are so far back in the mouth and difficult to clean properly. 

In these cases, Dr. Nolan would recommend wisdom teeth extraction as the wisest choice for dental health. 

At Wilmette Dental Institute, we understand that learning you need tooth extraction can spark anxious feelings. You can rest assured that we prioritize your comfort and well-being to ensure a stress-free experience. 

Dr. Nolan communicates why he recommends tooth removal using visual aids like x-rays and intraoral images. During your procedure, we use strong local anesthetics to ensure that you remain pain-free. 

Post-Extraction Care and Recovery

After tooth extraction, we will provide detailed instructions to help you manage discomfort, avoid complications, and ensure a speedy recovery. 

• Rest — Avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours.
• Follow a soft diet — Stick to soft foods and liquids while the extraction site heals. 
• Drink plenty of liquids —  Stay hydrated but avoid drinking from a straw for the first few days as it can dislodge the healing clot forming over the extraction site.
• Maintain oral hygiene — Brush gently but avoid the extraction area for the first 24 hours. After that, gently rinse the area with warm salt water to encourage healing and keep it clean.
• Don’t smoke — Smoking interferes with the healing process and can dislodge the healing clot over your tooth.

If you experience excessive pain, swelling, or bleeding, our helpful team is just a phone call away.

Do You Need Tooth Extraction? Let Us Help You!

If you suspect you need a tooth extraction or want to arrange your next dental check-up, please call us at (847) 251-3110, so we can help you. We serve patients in Wilmette and all areas on the North Shore, including Kenilworth, Winnetka, Evanston, and Highland Park.