Tooth Extraction in Valparaiso
providing exceptional customized & comprehensive dental care
Extract Problem, Diseased, or Decayed Teeth
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth. You and Dr. Drone may determine that you need a tooth extraction for several reasons. While Dr. Drone will strive to prevent an extraction of a single tooth, multiple teeth or all teeth whenever possible, but certain conditions describe below may be the only solution for optimal oral health or restoring your smile.
Several conditions may necessitate a tooth extraction such as the following conditions:
- A tooth may need extracted because it has been damaged beyond repair from trauma or extensive decay. If there is not enough remaining tooth structure for a dental restoration such as a resin filling, dental bonding, porcelain veneer, onlay, inlay, or crown then the tooth will need to be extracted.
- In some instances a tooth may have a severe infection from decay causing significant destruction of the tooth and supporting jawbone resulting in the extraction of the tooth.
- Periodontal diseases causes jawbone deterioration and tooth loss if not treated by Dr. Drone and our hygienists.
- Teeth may need to be extracted because they are poorly aligned in the mouth (wisdom teeth or impacted teeth) or severe crowding that cannot be corrected by orthodontics.
Tooth loss can negatively impact your oral health and social lifestyle. The removal of a single tooth can result in complications such as: chewing ability, teeth shifting, an unstable bite, speech, cosmetic appearance and self-confidence.
Prior to removing a single tooth, multiple teeth or all of your teeth Dr. Drone will work with you to determine which missing tooth or multiple missing teeth replacement option is best for you to restore your function and esthetics.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Dr. Drone is a native of Wheatfield, IN and has been practicing dentistry since 2003 and opened his private practice in Valparaiso, IN in 2007. Dr. Drone earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry and earned his advanced specialty degrees in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics from Indiana University School of Dentistry and Medicine.
Call Our Office Today At (219) 462-2564
The Procedure
Dr. Drone uses great care and skill when performing a tooth extraction to make your experience as comfortable and painless. Topical numbing gel will be applied to the area before Dr. Drone gently numbs your tooth and the surrounding jawbone and gum with local anesthetic. When your tooth is numb, a rocking motion is used with a special dental instrument to loosen the tooth and during this process there will be pressure but no pain. Dental extractions are usually well tolerated.
Some teeth are more challenging to extract and may need to be sectioned for easier removal. The tooth will be sectioned into small sections and then each section will be removed one at a time. This is a very common procedure when a tooth, like a wisdom toot or a fractured tooth below the gum line, is firmly anchored into the jawbone. In addition, if a dental implant is going to be immediately placed into the socket after the tooth is removed, then routinely the tooth is sectioned to protect the jawbone.
Post Op Instructions
After a tooth extraction Dr. Drone will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and any mouth rinses that will promote optimal healing. Following the post-extraction instructions will reduce the chances of complications such as bleeding, dry socket, swelling, bruising and lingering pain. After a tooth extraction it is important for a blood clot to form in the socket of the extracted tooth. When a blood clot forms the bleeding will stop and the area will begin healing. You must be careful to not disturb and dislodge the clot or you will develop a dry socket which is very painful. For the first 48 hours Dr. Drone recommends the following:
- Avoid vigorous rinsing, swishing and spitting after a tooth extraction
- Avoid the use of a straw
- Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco
- Avoid hot liquids
- Do not drink any alcohol
- Avoid strenuous activities (running, playing sports, weight lifting)
- Avoid spicy foods and ingredients
- Eat a soft bland diet
- Do not brush next to the extraction site
Bite firmly on moist gauze for 30-45 minutes immediately after your dental appointment to stop any bleeding. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another moist gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
Pain, Swelling, & Medications
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack should be placed on your face for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes as needed for the first 24 hours to minimize any swelling. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Pain medication will be prescribed by Dr. Drone and should be used as directed. Call our office if the medication does not seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
Dry Socket
Following the post-op instructions will greatly reduce your risk of developing a dry socket. A dry socket occurs when the blood clot fails to form in the socket (site where tooth was extracted) or the blood clot has been dislodged and negatively impacts the normal healing process. The symptoms of a dry socket can be severe pain, dull throbbing pain, aching pain that radiates through the entire jawbone, bad taste or odor from in the mouth. If you experience any of these symptoms please contact Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics immediately and Dr. Drone will apply a medicated dressing into the socket to alleviate the pain.
Replacing Teeth is Important
One should not ignore a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Attractive, natural-looking teeth help us look and feel our best. If you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth the consequences are significant functionally, psychologically and cosmetically. When you are missing a tooth you may become self-conscious when smiling or when interacting with others socially, have difficulties in chewing and enjoying your favorite foods, and have difficulties with speech. Attractive and natural looking teeth make us look and feel our best. The loss of tooth can cause jaw bone deterioration, tilting of teeth, damage to jaw joints, soreness in jaw muscles, gum disease and an unstable bite. Michael Drone
Dentistry & Prosthodontics have several specialized dental solutions to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth.
Options for Replacing Teeth
The most common dental solutions for replacing a single missing tooth is a dental implant or dental bridge and for multiple missing teeth are dental implants, a dental bridge, a complete denture, a removable partial denture or a TeethXpress Dental Implant Bridge.
Many patients choose to replace their missing teeth with dental implants. This option provides the most natural looking teeth replacement along with it being among the sturdiest option. A dental implant can be made of titanium or zirconia and consists of 3 parts.
- The implant: a titanium or zirconia post that replaces the missing root of the tooth.
- The abutment: a component, similar to a coupler that connects the missing teeth to the implant directly. A custom abutment is recommended for optimal oral health and longevity.
- The prosthetic teeth: the prosthetic options for multiple missing teeth are dental implant crowns, dental implant bridges, and implant dentures. For patients choosing to have full teeth replacement in one day (teeth-in-a-day), a fixed hybrid implant bridge made of ceramic material such as zirconia is another option.
The dental implant is firmly anchored into your jaw bone and is well-tolerated by our bodies. The normal healing period for the implant to fuse or attach to the jawbone varies between 2-6 months depending on the quality and quantity of bone. A dental implant is the most secure foundation in all of the multiple teeth replacement options. Restoring your missing teeth with dental implants does not require modifying the adjacent teeth like it does when restoring the missing teeth a dental bridge. Ceramic bridges or gold bridges are securely attached on top of the custom abutments to create the look of natural teeth. Dental implants help improve the quality of lives for millions of people and allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. To learn more about dental implants, please click here.
A dental bridge literally "bridges the gap" left by a missing tooth. A bridge most commonly consists of one to three artificial teeth secured in place by dental crowns on adjacent teeth with dental cement. It is a non-removable or “fixed” dental restoration. Replacing your
missing teeth with a dental bridge requires modifications to the adjacent teeth and is a quicker procedure than having an implant. The procedure for a bridge usually requires two appointments and is completed within 2-3 weeks. A bridge is an excellent restoration to replace
missing teeth when an individual is not a candidate for dental implants or interested in a fixed dental restoration. To learn more about a dental bridge, please click here.
This missing teeth replacement option can be removed and reinserted by the patient. The main difference between a dental bridge and a removable partial denture is the partial denture is neither permanent nor secured onto your natural teeth. A traditional removable partial denture is a combination of plastic denture teeth, plastic colored gum tissue, and metal and is held into place by metal wire clips. Newly designed denture teeth are made of durable resin, and the teeth are very esthetic. Some of your natural teeth may need to be modified or have dental crowns for the removable partial denture to function effectively. Partial dentures are more commonly an option for multiple missing teeth and are a comparable cosmetic dental option to dental implants and dental bridges. To learn more about a removable partial denture, please click here.
This missing teeth replacement option can be removed and reinserted by the patient. Traditional removable dentures are designed to replace all of the teeth on one or both of the upper and lower jaw. Dr. Drone is very detailed oriented with creating the dentures to provide the best speech, comfort, chewing ability and esthetics. Newly designed denture teeth are made of durable resin and are very esthetic. Dentures are an effective and affordable cosmetic dental option when the remaining teeth are severely damaged or weakened to support a bridge or partial denture. Like partial dentures, patients appreciate removable dentures since they can be removed while sleeping and repaired easily if broken or damaged. The fitting and retention of the denture is dependent on the amount of bone, the health of the gum tissue and the amount of saliva. Dental implants are commonly used to improve the stability and function of dentures.
This missing teeth replacement option can be removed and reinserted by the patient. Traditional removable dentures and implant overdentures are designed to replace all of the teeth on one or both of the upper and lower jaw. Implant overdentures are an effective and affordable cosmetic dental option when the remaining teeth are severely damaged or weakened to support a bridge or partial denture. The main differences between both removable options are dental implants assist to secure the dentures and eliminate jawbone deterioration. Implant overdentures can connect directly to an abutment on the implant or can clip on and off to a titanium bar. Dental implants can help eliminate discomfort, movement and insecurity that is often associated with traditional dentures. Michael Drone Dentistry has several implant overdenture options and will customize a dental solution for your unique needs.
This is a state-of-the-art missing teeth replacement option. An individual can have dental implants and new teeth in a one-day procedure. Dr. Drone has been using this technology for fifteen years and this allows patients to receive teeth as fast as possible and with greater self-confidence. This dental option is commonly referred to as TeethXpress, Same-Day-Teeth or Teeth-in-a-Day.
TeethXpress is an amazing and affordable cosmetic dental option when the remaining teeth are severely damaged or weakened to support a bridge or partial denture. Candidates with hopeless teeth are scheduled for a complimentary implant consult with Dr. Drone. Almost every patient is a candidate for this procedure.
With candidates for TeethXpress, Dr. Drone will make digital impressions, photographs and design your new teeth. When your new teeth are fabricated, you will have your teeth removed; 4-6 implants placed into your jawbone using minimally invasive procedures, and immediately secure your dental bridge to the implants. Your final dental bridge can be made of denture material or with ceramic material like zirconia. Michael Drone Dentistry has several implant overdenture options and will customize a dental solution for your unique needs. To learn more about an implant overdenture denture, please click here.
Candidates for Teeth Replacement
If you are missing multiple teeth and would like to prevent jaw bone deterioration or an unstable bite and enhance your smile then dental implants, a removable partial denture or dental bridge may be an option for your oral health. It is important to choose a highly qualified dentist with whom you feel comfortable for you dental care. Dr. Drone is a prosthodontist with extensive knowledge and training in implants, esthetics, and reconstructive dentistry. Dr. Drone has been involved in designing dental solutions for individuals replacing one single tooth or multiple missing teeth with dental implants, dental bridges, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, implant overdentures, and immediate implant denture bridges. Michael Drone Dentistry is also a recognized specialty office for providing people with a procedure known as TeethXpress or “Same-Day-Teeth.”
Dr. Drone has the experience of someone you can trust to take excellent care of you and your oral health. During a consultation with Dr. Drone you can learn more about what dental treatment options that can serve your unique dental needs. We invite you to schedule a consultation appointment at Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics today at 219.262.2564.
Services Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics Offers
Implant Dentistry
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple Teeth Replacement
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental Implant Bridges
Implant Dentures
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Cosmetic Dentistry
Ceramic Inlays & Onlays
Professional Teeth Whitening
Aesthetic Dental Bonding
Porcelain Veneers
Dental Cleaning Exams
Oral Hygiene and Care
Gum Disease Treatment
Bruxism & TMJ Therapy
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Tooth Extractions
Dental Fillings
Dental Crowns
Dentures
Teeth in an Hour
Root Canal
Emergency
Professional Involvement
We work with a dedicated team of professionals to make sure that your experience is the absolute best it can be. From our friendly front office staff, the assistants who work closely with Dr. Drone, our hygiene staff that helps our patients walk away with beautifully clean teeth and easy-to-understand dental knowledge, to the other specialists we are honored to work with; our knowledgeable dental staff will care for you every step of the way.
Exemplary Patient Outcomes
We understand the importance of having a healthy, comfortable bite. We are able to provide each patient with excellent quality restorative dental solutions. An in-office consultation will allow us to diagnose and determine how your unique needs can best be met through our restorative dental options.