Post-Extraction Swelling

We’ve saved a lot of teeth at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, but there are times when they have to be extracted. This is a routine procedure that usually goes smoothly, but patients should expect some swelling. We thought people would be more at ease if we explained some more about what to expect and how to recognize an emergency if one does develop.

Swelling after a wound is a healthy immune system response. Inflammation helps to prevent bacteria from entering the body through an open dental socket. The more complex an extraction, the more swelling can be expected. But once the blood in the socket forms a clot, patients shouldn’t really need inflammation, which is why it is appropriate to try to limit it by applying cold packs. To avoid damage from cold, only apply cold packs for fifteen minutes at a time, and allow fifteen minutes to pass in between each application. You should see swelling peak thirty-six hours after the extraction.

Once swelling peaks, it can be reduced through the application of hot packs. Again, the fifteen-on, fifteen off rule will prevent tissue damage. But if swelling continues after forty-eight hours, the patient should give us another call and come in as soon as possible. Discoloration is natural, but they should seek emergency help if the extraction site turns black or white. Complications are rare, but when they happen, we can see patients through safely if they’re intercepted quickly.

Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, Suite 810, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visitBishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Sectioning Wisdom Teeth

It’s common for teenagers to need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Sometimes this is because the large back teeth risk disrupting the other teeth’s alignment and sometimes it’s because the wisdom teeth are impacted and can’t break through. In these cases, we at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring sometimes make the process easier on the patient be sectioning the teeth prior to removing them.

Normally, teeth are removed by using dental tools to rock them back and forth until they can be pulled out of the socket. However, impacted wisdom teeth will be too large to fit through the opening in the gum line. Even if an incision is made to the gum, the tooth might still be held in place by strong ligaments, making it unwise to yank it out. In order to break it into more manageable pieces, the doctor will cut it apart using a dental drill. This does not hurt the patient, who has already been numbed. Once the tooth is sectioned, each part may be lifted out without much force.

David Bishop, DDS and Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS, operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8830 Cameron St, #504, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.