Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Dental Extractions in La Salette
When a tooth cannot be saved, removal may be the next step. La Salette patients can learn how extractions are planned and what healing usually looks like.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for La Salette patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for La SaletteWhen removal is the right call
Removing a tooth is a decision worth understanding fully.
Dentists generally try to keep natural teeth, but sometimes removal is the healthiest choice. Severe decay, a fractured root, advanced gum disease, crowding or a tooth that keeps causing infection are common reasons. Before agreeing, it helps to know why extraction is recommended and what will happen to the space afterward.
For those living in La Salette, extractions are carried out at our Port Dover office when appropriate. The dentist will review your health, explain the procedure and aftercare and discuss whether a referral to an oral surgeon would be more suitable for a complex case.
Why it is advised
Understand the reason before making a decision.
Situations that lead to removal
A tooth may be recommended for removal when it is broken below the gumline, too decayed to restore, loose from bone loss or repeatedly infected. Orthodontic plans sometimes call for removal to create space. X-rays and examination findings should support the recommendation, and the dentist can show you what they see.
Asking about alternatives first
Ask whether the tooth could be saved with root canal treatment, a crown or gum therapy, and what the likely outcome of each would be. Sometimes saving the tooth is possible but uncertain. Knowing the realistic options allows you to make a choice you feel comfortable with.
Preparing
Health information helps the dentist plan a safe extraction.
Share medical history and medicines
Tell the dentist about blood thinners, bone medicines, heart conditions, diabetes, recent surgeries and any allergies. Some conditions may require coordination with your physician before an extraction. Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own; ask the dentist and your doctor for guidance.
Plan the day of the procedure
Eat beforehand if you have been told it is fine to do so, and arrange to rest for the remainder of the day. If sedation is planned, you will need someone to drive you home. Stock up on soft foods and follow any specific pre-appointment instructions you receive.
The procedure
The dentist works to keep the area comfortable.
Numbing and loosening the tooth
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. The dentist then gently loosens the tooth from the surrounding ligament and bone before removing it. You may feel pressure, but sharp pain should be reported straight away. Some teeth come out in pieces or need a small incision, especially if roots are curved.
Closing the site and initial instructions
Once the tooth is out, gauze is placed to control bleeding and help a clot form. Stitches may be used in some cases. You will receive instructions on biting on gauze, pain management, eating and what to avoid in the first days. Ask questions before you leave if anything is unclear.
Healing well
The first few days are important for healing.
Protecting the clot
Avoid rinsing vigorously, spitting, smoking and drinking through a straw for the period advised, since these can dislodge the clot. Eat soft foods and chew on the other side. Some swelling and tenderness is normal. Increasing pain after several days, a bad taste or fever should be reported to the office.
Planning for the gap
Depending on the tooth, the dentist may discuss replacing it with a bridge, implant or partial denture, or leaving the space. Gaps can allow neighbouring teeth to shift over time. Talk about replacement options before or after the extraction so you understand the long-term implications.
Planning your appointment
Arranging an extraction from La Salette.
Contact our Port Dover office to book an assessment. If sedation or a longer appointment is likely, plan a ride and a quiet rest of the day before you set out.
Bring a complete list of medicines, including supplements, and any recent medical information relevant to bleeding or healing.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Extraction questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Does having a tooth pulled hurt?
The area is numbed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during removal. Some tenderness afterward is normal and usually manageable with recommended pain relief. Report severe or worsening pain.
How long does it take to heal after an extraction?
Initial healing of the gum often takes a week or two, while bone continues remodelling for longer. Healing time varies with the tooth, your health and how closely aftercare instructions are followed.
What is a dry socket?
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot is lost or does not form properly, exposing bone. It can cause increasing pain a few days after extraction. Contact the office if pain worsens instead of improving.
Should I replace an extracted tooth?
It depends on the tooth’s position and your goals. Replacing it can help with chewing and prevent shifting. The dentist can discuss bridges, implants, partial dentures or leaving the space.
Can I go back to work the next day?
Many people can return to light activities the next day, though strenuous exercise may need to wait. Recovery varies, so ask the dentist what is reasonable after your specific extraction.
Before and after an extraction
General Dentistry →Wisdom Teeth Extraction →
Not every wisdom tooth needs removal. La Salette patients can learn how impacted or problem wisdom teeth are assessed, when referral is used and how to recover.
Dental Bridges →
A dental bridge can fill the space left by a missing tooth. La Salette patients can compare bridges with other options and learn how to clean under one.