Tooth Extractions in Kernersville & Bermuda Run, NC
It is always our goal to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. However, when a tooth is severely decayed, damaged, infected, or otherwise cannot be predictably saved, extraction may be the appropriate next step.
Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad provides tooth extraction care at our Kernersville and Bermuda Run offices, serving patients from Winston-Salem, Colfax, Advance, Clemmons, and surrounding Triad communities. Modern surgical techniques and anesthesia options allow our oral surgeons to plan treatment around the condition of the tooth and each patient’s comfort needs.
When Is a Tooth Extraction Recommended?
- Severe Decay
- Periodontal Disease
- Fractures
- Impacted Teeth
- Orthodontic Preparation
The Importance of Natural Teeth
As mentioned above, saving your natural teeth is always our preference, as they play a significant role in the health of your jawbone, which requires regular stimulation to maintain bone structure. A missing tooth will quickly lead to jawbone loss. For this reason, Dr. Biggerstaff, Dr. Parker or Dr. McElroy may recommend a special grafting procedure at the same time as your extraction to prevent jawbone loss and provide favorable conditions for an implant down the road.
Rediscover Your Smile at Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad. A Dental Experience You Can Feel Great About. Call Kernersville Office Phone Number 336-992-2123 Today
What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction typically begins with local anesthesia to keep the treatment area comfortable, with additional anesthesia or sedation options available when appropriate for your procedure and individual needs.
The extraction itself typically takes less than an hour, although treatment time can vary depending on the tooth’s position and the complexity of the removal. Our oral surgeons perform extractions at our Kernersville and Bermuda Run offices, with treatment planned according to the condition and location of the tooth.
Oral Surgeons in Kernersville & Bermuda Run
Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad provides tooth extraction care through an experienced team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Dr. Teresa Biggerstaff and Dr. Kelly McElroy provide care at the Kernersville office, while Dr. Wesley Parker provides care at the Bermuda Run office.
Their oral and maxillofacial surgery training allows them to evaluate straightforward and more complex extractions, including cases involving impacted teeth, anesthesia, bone grafting, or future dental implant treatment.
Recovery and Home Care for Winston and Clemmons
The most important things to know about recovery from a tooth extraction are:
- Blood Clots: It is very important to form a strong blood clot following surgery. You can help the process by biting on a gauze pad for about an hour following the procedure.
- Straws and Smoking: Do not use straws (or tobacco products) for several days following the surgery, as this will dislodge the clot, resulting in a very painful condition called “dry socket.”
- Pain: As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience soreness for a few days. Patients are typically able to manage the pain adequately with over the counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen. Any necessary prescription medicines will be discussed prior to your surgery.
- *Note: Specific tooth extraction home care instructions will be given prior to surgery, and we are here to answer any additional questions you have.
If you’ve been told you need an extraction, you’re not alone – in fact, most people will have a tooth extracted at some point during their life. Drs. Biggerstaff, Parker and McElroy are here to provide you with the best care possible – offering a safe, seamless experience – please call us at Kernersville Office Phone Number 336-992-2123 with any questions.
Tooth Extraction Care Across the Triad
If your dentist has recommended an extraction or you have a tooth that may need surgical removal, our oral surgeons can evaluate the tooth and discuss the appropriate next step.
Patients in Kernersville, Winston-Salem, Colfax, and nearby communities can visit our Kernersville office at 900 Old Winston Road, Suite 204. Patients in Bermuda Run, Advance, Clemmons, Mocksville, and surrounding communities can receive care at our Bermuda Run office at 122 East Kinderton Way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever possible, our goal is to preserve your natural tooth. An extraction may be recommended when a tooth cannot be predictably saved because of severe decay, periodontal disease, a fracture, or impaction. Teeth may also be removed as part of orthodontic treatment when additional space is needed. Dr. Biggerstaff, Dr. Parker, or Dr. McElroy will evaluate the tooth and recommend extraction only when it is appropriate for your oral health. AOFSTriad’s current tooth extraction page identifies these as common reasons for removal.
A simple extraction generally involves removing a tooth that is fully visible and accessible above the gumline. A surgical extraction may require additional steps when a tooth is impacted, broken, or otherwise more difficult to access. If the tooth is impacted, you can also learn more about AOFSTriad’s approach to impacted teeth and oral surgery .
At Advanced Oral & Facial Surgery of the Triad, the extraction procedure itself typically takes less than an hour, although the exact time depends on the tooth’s position and the complexity of the removal. Local anesthesia is used for comfort, with additional anesthesia available when appropriate for the procedure and the patient’s needs. Learn more about the practice’s anesthesia options .
An oral surgeon may be especially appropriate when a tooth is impacted, fractured, difficult to remove, or requires more involved surgical planning or anesthesia. Oral surgery may also be helpful when an extraction is being coordinated with bone grafting or future dental implant treatment . Dr. Biggerstaff, Dr. Parker, and Dr. McElroy provide tooth extraction care at AOFSTriad’s Kernersville and Bermuda Run/Advance offices. The current extraction page specifically notes that grafting may be recommended at the time of extraction to preserve bone for a later implant.
After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket and plays an important role in healing. AOFSTriad recommends biting on gauze after surgery and avoiding straws and tobacco products so the clot is not disrupted. Depending on the tooth and your future treatment needs, your surgeon may also recommend bone grafting at the time of extraction to help preserve the jawbone for a future dental implant . If grafting is performed, patients can also review the practice’s post-operative bone grafting instructions.