Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth that do not have enough space to develop correctly can cause numerous problems in the mouth. Complications include the trapping of food which makes an environment for cavities and disease to form, the crowding or damaging of neighboring teeth, and root damage (which is irreversible). It is recommended that you see Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, for regular checkups, so that any issues involving the development of your wisdom teeth will be addressed as soon as possible. Dr. Haeri is also committed to preserving overall oral health in patients.

You may need to get your wisdom teeth removed if you show signs of:

-Pain/aching/tenderness

-Infection

-Cysts

-Tumors

-Damage to surrounding teeth

-Gum disease

-Tooth decay

Before making any decisions to extract wisdom teeth, Dr. Haeri will first examine your mouth and take an X-ray. Under the care of Dr. Haeri and an expert team, you and your family will rest easy knowing that you are in safe hands throughout your visit. We understand that wisdom teeth extractions sound scary, but it’s best to have them removed to avoid headaches and constant pain in the back of the mouth. Keep in mind, when your wisdom teeth come in as much as they can, you should have them removed as soon as possible. The younger you are, the easier the procedure will be since the wisdom teeth roots aren’t fully developed by that time. This will also help with a quicker recovery time.

Does your mouth ache but you’re unsure if it’s your wisdom teeth causing the discomfort? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.

 

Post-Extraction Swelling

Tooth extractions are a common precaution against overcrowding. While we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office have all sorts of tricks for repairing teeth and restoring their appearance, when extractions are necessary they are generally a simple affair. Swelling immediately after the procedure is expected, so we thought patients would feel more comfortable if we addressed it straightforwardly.

The body perceives tooth extractions as wounds and triggers the automatic immune response, which is inflammation. While this is a healthy way to prevent the spread of bacteria, we suture any incisions that were made in the course of an extraction and a blood clot will quickly seal off the socket, so patients may direct their efforts toward minimizing swelling. During the first three days after an extraction, the best way to do this is by applying cold packs. Swelling will peak after three days, at which point patients can speed the flow of blood out of swollen tissue by applying hot packs.

Both cold and hot packs should be used in accordance with the fifteen on/fifteen off rule: do not keep them on the skin for more than fifteen minutes at a time and always allow fifteen minutes to elapse between applications. Patients should seek emergency help if the extraction site turns black or white, but complications are rare and swelling normally disappears within a week.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Dental Instruments

There are some pretty cool instruments in a dental office. There are also some that people may be uncomfortable with. In order to help our patients’ cleanings go smoothly, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s office wanted to explain what some of the most frequently used ones are for.

The two instruments patients will see us use the most are the handheld mirror and the explorer. Also known as a probe, explorers are hooked instruments that are used to assess the hardness of enamel and to break up small bits of tartar. There are many differently shaped hooks for reaching different surfaces of different teeth. Some, called scalers, are used to remove tartar from gum pockets after they’ve been probed to check for infection.

We also commonly use instruments that are for constructing and placing fillings. A drill is used to remove infected tooth enamel after the patient has been numbed. White composite filling material can then be mixed on a small spatula and applied with a burnisher, which is a blunt instrument used to contour fillings. If a tooth is broken or needs to be extracted for any other reason, we can loosen it with an elevator, which is shaped like a small, narrow spoon, before pulling it with forceps.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Reasons for Extractions

Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s years of dental experience will ensure she sees patients safely through dental extractions. However, healthy natural teeth tend to have longer lifespans than artificial ones, which is why when we recommend teeth be removed, we want our patients to know it’s for a good reason.

A lot can be done to repair teeth that have been cracked or chipped, but if a tooth is cracked all the way down the root, it will have to be removed. Cracks and caries also pose a risk of infection in the dental pulp. Root canals are a means of saving the natural outer portion of a tooth while removing infected inner material, but sometimes, an initial root canal is unable to remove the infection entirely. This would usually result in referral to a specialist before a decision to remove the tooth is made, but extraction may happen if there is a significant chance of the infection spreading to the bloodstream.

The most common reason for extractions is preparation for orthodontic work. When the teeth are too crowded, some of them may simply have to be removed in order for the others to be aligned into a healthy arch. This is what often happens to the wisdom teeth, which may not even be able to erupt fully due to overcrowding.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Everyone has a set of wisdom teeth but this set of ‘final molars’ often stays impacted.  Some patients experience these teeth beginning to erupt, usually between the ages of 17 and 24.  Even when that happens, there is not enough space in the mouth for these wisdom teeth to grow, which is why Dr. Suzanne Haeri typically recommends extraction. 

Keeping wisdom teeth too long can cause oral discomfort, headaches, damage the surrounding teeth and put a patient at risk for infection. If you experience swollen or tender gums around the wisdom teeth, jaw pain, or facial swelling, give us a call to determine if you need your wisdom teeth removed, and discuss sedation options and procedure with you.  The procedure will include stitches and some down time, but following instructions, a patient’s recovery shouldn’t take more than a week.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.

Dry Sockets

Tooth extractions are a routine procedure and Dr. Haeri works hard to ensure her patients have successful recoveries. However, complications such as a dry socket can happen. To prevent this, Dr. Haeri wants her patients to understand what to avoid in the days following an extraction and when to come to her for help.

As you can probably guess, a dry socket is what happens when an empty socket dries out. This is extremely painful and poses a high risk of infection. Typically, when teeth are extracted, a blood clot will form to protect the socket, but certain medications, including birth control, can prevent this from happening. We also advise patients to gently rinse their mouths with salt water after surgery to moisturize and prevent decay in a way which will not disturb the clot. Sipping through straws and smoking are known to increase the risk a clot will be dislodged or dissolved.

A dry socket will usually be evident within two days of an extraction. Patients should come to us immediately so we can prevent further damage and ease their pain. After using a vacuum to clean the socket, Dr. Haeri will apply medicated wound dressing (this could be cloth or a paste) and prescribe antibiotics and pain medications. Unfortunate though dry sockets are, with proper treatment they should not prevent a patient from making a full recovery.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, of Cosmetic & General Dentistry, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.