Sometimes, tooth extractions are necessary. Our team here at Drs. Smith and Domingue always put your comfort first.

We Put Comfort First with Gentle Tooth Extractions

Gentle Tooth Extractions in Lafayette

While we would prefer to save a tooth, sometimes it becomes inevitable that a tooth extraction is necessary. We know that the idea of extraction often makes patients nervous, but you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to keep your extraction and healing time as comfortable as possible.

At our office, we are skilled in different types of sedation dentistry, and if you are concerned about your extraction procedure, please let us know so that we can discuss your sedation options. In addition to relaxing you and keeping you comfortable, sedation dentistry will also leave you with few memories of the actual procedure, which most of our patients find reassuring.

Preparing for Your Extraction

Tooth extractions, especially those performed on impacted teeth or wisdom teeth, are surgical procedures. We will work with you to prepare you ahead of time for your extraction and provide you with instructions to follow before and after your procedure to speed up your healing time and make the process more comfortable.

Depending on the type of extraction being performed, you may wish to ask for a couple of days off of work so you can relax at home and focus on healing. Preparing soft foods ahead of time will make it easier for you to choose foods that won’t disturb your extraction site. We will also discuss pain control with you and may prescribe medication to control your discomfort and swelling.

If your tooth is going to be replaced with a dental implant, we may need to perform additional procedures to fully prep the area for implant placement. One procedure we may perform in this case is bone grafting to preserve and restore the socket.

Types of Extractions in the 70508 Area

At our office, we perform both simple extractions and surgical extractions. One of the benefits of getting all your care at our office is that there’s no need for referrals to other dentists for more advanced procedures like surgical extractions. We can perform all the care you need right here in one convenient location.

Simple extractions are used when the tooth is easily seen and not covered by your gum (impacted). You may receive sedation for the procedure, but often all that is needed is numbing medication. The tooth is lifted up with an instrument called an elevator and then removed using forceps.

Surgical extractions are performed on teeth that are impacted or damaged in a way that makes simple extraction impossible. These extractions usually require that we open the gum, break the tooth before removing it, or cut away some of the surrounding bone. IV anesthesia is usually used with these extractions, and sometimes general anesthesia is needed. We will discuss your options with you ahead of time.

Contact Our Lafayette LA Dental Practice

If you suspect that you need to have a tooth extracted, call us today. Our Acadiana dentists Drs. Smith and Domingue are happy to perform a comprehensive examination and recommend the best course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

I need to have a tooth extracted. Now what?

At Drs. Smith and Domingue’s office, we make every effort to save your teeth, when possible. Despite our best efforts, it is necessary to extract the occasional tooth. If you have to have a tooth extracted, do not despair. We are experts at tooth replacement therapy and have the skills and expertise to provide you with the best options dentistry has to offer.

Weighing Your Tooth Replacement Options

From bridges to implants, we can help you decide what works best for your lifestyle, budget, and health. In our office, we place and restore implants for our patients. We have performed hundreds of implant procedures successfully. Our patients report being incredibly happy with the results we provide.

If you decide an implant is not right for you, we also create beautiful and functional dental bridges. Dental bridges are a tried and true method to replace missing teeth. Our custom bridges not only look great but are also completely functional, making eating and speaking normally again possible.

Gentle Extractions & Replacements in Lafayette

From your extraction to your tooth replacement care, Drs. Smith and Domingue are your Lafayette, LA dental experts. Their combined skills and experience mean that you have the benefit of the best dentistry available. While a dental extraction is not ideal, we know things sometimes happen and we are here to support you on your road to dental health. Give us a call today if you are in need of a dental exam!

Will my dental extraction hurt?

When Drs. Smith and Domingue recommend a dental extraction, it is only in the very best interest of your health. Because we focus on prevention, extractions are the last resort and we know that none of our patients want to hear those dreaded words. We will always make sure you are completely comfortable for every procedure you have in our office.

Sedation Dentistry Options in 70508

When it comes to the procedure itself, we have a number of options to keep you feeling comfortable and anxiety-free. Dental procedures should not add additional stress in your life so you may find one of our sedation methods right for you.

We offer nitrous oxide as the lowest method of sedation available. Nitrous oxide is for those patients who are a little worried about their procedure but feel confident that they will be ok. We may recommend this for patients with simple extractions.

We also offer oral sedation for patients who need a little stronger medication in order to be comfortable for a dental extraction. It will make you feel dreamy and you may have little or no memory of your procedure.

For those patients with complex surgical extractions, we may recommend IV sedation. IV sedation is the strongest form of sedation we offer and you will have no awareness of the procedure and no memory of it. We will still numb you, as always, and we will monitor you closely making sure you are safe for your entire procedure.

What if I decide not to have my tooth extracted?

Drs. Smith and Domingue understand that treatment is always your decision to make. They look at their roles as educators but know that your body is your decision. However, it is important to understand that Drs. Smith and Domingue would never recommend a dental extraction unless your tooth was severely compromised either structurally or because of a serious infection.

If you let your tooth go untreated, you could experience serious consequences such as pain and more damage. We have literally seen compromised teeth crumble, causing our patients lost time at work, excruciating pain, and delayed travel plans.

Health Issues from Infected Tooth

When your tooth has a serious infection and you let it go untreated, it can cause a number of systemic problems such as heart disease, stroke, and complications with diabetes. Scientists linked oral infections with systemic health over the last several decades and having an active infection in your mouth literally puts your life at risk.

Contact Our Lafayette Dental Clinic

We understand that extractions are not something any patient wants to go through, so we encourage you to call us and discuss your concerns. We can help you make the best decision for your health and if you choose to move forward with treatment, we can help with tooth replacement options so you can still eat and smile.

I've been told that my wisdom teeth are impacted. What does this mean?

When dentists say that teeth are impacted, we mean that they are either partially or completely covered by gum tissue. The most commonly impacted teeth are usually the third molars (wisdom teeth), but other teeth may be affected as well.

Impacted teeth are caused by teeth growing in at an odd angle due to not having enough room, or just because of the nature of your biology. Teeth growing at an angle may push on your adjacent teeth. Teeth can also be impacted if they begin to grow, but remain stuck in the jawbone and cannot fully erupt.

Problems Caused by Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth can lead to a number of problems:

Pain
Pressure on other teeth
Trapped food, leading to decay and gum disease
Abscesses and other infections
Bad breath
Difficulty opening your mouth
Jaw or facial pain
Infection
Swollen lymph nodes
Malocclusion (bad bite)

Dental Extractions in Lafayette

If you are experiencing difficulty with an impacted tooth, extraction could provide you with relief. We can do a full evaluation including digital imaging of your teeth to see what the best course of action will be to relieve your symptoms.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith or Dr. Domingue.

How long will it take to recover from my extraction?

Your recovery time will depend on whether you had a simple extraction or a surgical extraction to remove an impacted tooth. It will also depend on some of your health factors and whether you smoke. Tobacco use can inhibit healing after a dental surgery and is not recommended. It may be a great time to quit!

What to Expect After an Extraction

You can expect some swelling and discomfort for about 24 to 48 hours following a simple extraction, and full healing will take one to two weeks. For a surgical extraction, your period of swelling and discomfort may last for about three days, and full healing can take about three to four weeks.

Following our hygiene and aftercare instructions will help healing go more smoothly as will taking your medication as prescribed.

We will provide you with medication and advice to make you more comfortable and reduce swelling. Follow our after-care instructions to encourage faster healing and prevent complications.

Contact Our Lafayette Office

We can give you more specific information regarding healing time for your unique case once we perform a full evaluation of the teeth you need extracted. Drs. Smith and Domingue are also experts at implant placement and can provide tooth replacement options that will meet your specific lifestyle needs.

Meet Our Doctors:

Dr. J. Jerome Smith DDS

Dr. Smith was born and raised in Lafayette and attended Our Lady of Fatima from first grade through graduation in 1973. Subsequently, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree and graduated cum laude ...

Dr. Danny Domingue DDS

Dr. Daniel Domingue was born and raised in Lafayette, LA.

He graduated:

St. Thomas More in 1999
LSU Bachelor Science 2003
LSU School of Dentistry in New ...

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Featured Blog Posts - Extractions

June 30, 2018

What Are the Signs I Need My Wisdom Teeth Out?

Gentle Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Lafayette | Fake Model of Teeth

While you may not be excited about the idea of having a tooth extracted, it is very common for your dentist to recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed it helps to protect your oral health. Here are three reasons that wisdom teeth may need to be extracted.

You Can't Properly Clean Them

Wisdom teeth also called third molars, come in far back in your mouth behind your second set of molars. Because of their position, they may be harder to brush and floss properly. If you can't keep them clean, it ...

May 31, 2018

What's the Difference Between a Simple Extraction and Surgical Extraction?

You are afraid that your tooth has been damaged beyond repair, and you may be facing an extraction. This idea scares you and has you feeling anxious about going to your dentist.

The first thing you should know is that you're not alone! No one wants to hear that they need a tooth extracted; however, sometimes it's what's best for your oral health and well being. Next, you should know that extractions are probably not as bad as you're thinking thanks to modern dentistry and advanced technology.

Fear and anticipation of the ...

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