Oral Surgery & Extractions at Chemung Family Dental

Yes, wherever it is reasonable. Extraction is the last option. If a root canal and crown give the tooth a realistic future, that is what we will recommend, and we will be honest when the odds are poor rather than taking your money for treatment likely to fail.

Dr. Nicholas Petti, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, works here on site. Simple extractions may be handled by Dr. Dunn; surgical cases go to Dr. Petti.

You will be numb, so you should feel firm pressure but not pain. If you feel anything sharp, say so and we will add more anesthetic. Sedation is available if the anticipation is the harder part for you.

Most people are comfortable within two to three days and back to normal eating within a week. Surgical extractions take longer than simple ones. Swelling typically peaks around day two, then improves.

When the blood clot protecting the socket is dislodged before healing, exposing bone. It is quite painful and usually shows up three to five days after surgery. Avoiding straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing for the first few days is how you prevent it. If it happens, call us. We can treat it and the relief is quick.

Yes. We offer sedation options up to general anesthesia, which is unusual for a general practice and is a direct result of having a surgeon on site. See sedation and general anesthesia.

For most teeth, yes, eventually. Teeth drift into gaps and bite problems follow. Rear molars are sometimes an exception. We will give you a straight answer for your specific tooth rather than a blanket recommendation.

Placing graft material into the socket at the time of extraction to preserve bone volume. If an implant is likely later, it is usually worth doing. Bone resorbs fastest in the first year, and rebuilding it afterwards is a bigger procedure than preserving it now.

Typically a few months after extraction, once the site has healed. Some cases allow immediate placement. Dr. Petti will assess your bone and tell you which applies. See dental implants.

Soft foods for the first few days: yogurt, eggs, soup that is not hot, mashed potatoes. Avoid anything crunchy or with small seeds that can lodge in the socket. No straws for at least a few days.

Please do not, for at least seventy-two hours and ideally longer. Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for dry socket and it measurably slows healing. If you cannot stop entirely, tell us honestly so we can plan around it.

Most dental plans cover a portion, with surgical extractions often at a different rate than simple ones. We verify your benefits and provide a written estimate before surgery, and Cherry and CareCredit are available for the balance.