Dental Questions: Does every tooth extraction require stitches?

Wether you've had a tooth extracted before or not, chances are that you have some idea of what is involved in this procedure. You would probably expect that every patient gets stitches (professionally called sutures) before they are allowed to leave. A dentist wouldn't let you go with a giant hole in your jaw, right? On the contrary, there are many times that sutures aren't a necessary step after extracting a tooth and do not improve the healing process. Take a look!

In the mouth, sutures can assist in the healing of gums and other soft tissues by holding them in a desired place. In complex dental extractions, such as removing wisdom teeth or impacted teeth, the bone and gums around the tooth may need to be moved or partially removed. To ensure that the gums heal cleanly around the jaws and do not create a food trap, sutures are used to approximate natural soft tissue contours. Additionally, stitches are used to help in the formation of healthy blood clots and to help keep grafts and membranes in place during critical healing periods. 

For "simple" dental extractions, sutures are not always required. When there is minimal manipulation of the gums and bones AND the patient has a healthy immune system, it is reasonable to expect that the tooth site will heal with no sutures. For most patients, a "scab" will begin to form in the mouth before they leave the dental office, and nearly all bleeding will cease within 2 hours. Research shows that sutures will not help the gums or bones heal faster or assist in preventing post extraction infection. On the contrary, the most important determining factor in extraction outcomes is following the post operative instructions given to you by your dentist!

It is often hard to tell if a patient will need sutures until after the extraction procedure is finished. Sometimes, even the most simple-seeming teeth require more manipulation and work than they initially let on. As with every procedure, we do our best to inform you of changes to your treatment plan as they arise. If you would like to know more about tooth extractions, oral surgery or other dental procedures, please give our office a call!

Specialist Spotlight: Westlake Oral and Plastic Surgery

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight the surgical services offered by Westlake Oral and Plastic Surgery.

At Westlake Oral and Plastic Surgery, Doctors Donald Nikchevich, Michael Newton and Scott Bennion provide our patients with the best in surgical care. They approach every situation with years of experience and the latest in dental technology. We typically refer to Westlake Oral and Plastic Surgery for patients requiring dental extractions or implants. In both situations, technologies like cone beam CT scans and platelet rich plasma (PRP) applications ensure the best outcomes coupled with speedy and predictable recovery. 

With your referral appointment, be sure to check out the Westlake Oral and Plastic Surgery website to register with their office and add your medical history online. This helps streamline your surgical consultation and ensures accuracy of information. If you have any questions on your upcoming dental referrals or would just like to recap your treatment plan/options, feel free to give our office a call!

Website: www.scoms.com

Address: 911 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village, CA, 91361

 

Specialist Spotlight- Mcleod and Webb Oral Surgery

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight the surgical services offered by Dr. James McLeod and Dr. John Webb.

As an oral surgery office, McLeod and Webb offer a number of procedures related to repairing, removing and altering hard structures of the mouth. Although most patients associate oral surgery with extractions, the true scope of their services extends into implantology, oral pathology and certain types of jaw surgery. Our office will refer out any surgical procedure that requires the expertise and technology of a specialist’s office. 

We enjoy working with Mcleod and Webb because of the convenient and compassionate nature of their office. WIth two locations, they can schedule and accommodate patients quickly, often with same-day appointments. Their health history information is logged digitally online and can be filled out before your visit, saving you time. Once you have arrived at their office, you will be treated with attention and care. Mcleod and Webb pride themselves in having a compassionate staff, who can answer and assure all of your questions and concerns. If any complications do arise, they are poised to respond quickly and succinctly, keeping you informed and attended to. Post surgery, they are extremely communicative with our office, ensuring great continuity in your dental treatment. 

McLeod and Webb’s office has had its doors open for over 35 years, serving the Thousand Oaks, Westlake and Simi Valley areas. They represent thousands of hours of education, surgical experience and patient care. If you would like to know more about their office, or any of the other specialists we work with, please give us a call. We want our patients to know they are in good hands, whether with us or our one of our specialists.