Tooth Extractions Near You
A patient may need a tooth extracted for a variety of reasons. The problem could be a tooth badly damaged by decay or a painful wisdom tooth. In certain cases, a tooth must be removed to make room for braces or dental prosthetics.
If you are told that you need a tooth extraction, there is no need to panic. Tooth extractions are one of the most commonly performed types of dental procedures. Although no one wants to have a tooth removed, it is sometimes necessary to protect a patient’s health or for other reasons.
Some reasons why a patient may need a tooth extracted include:
Gum disease
Dental infections
Bone or tooth trauma
Complications of wisdom teeth
Tooth extractions come in two basic types: simple and surgical. The type that a specific patient needs depends upon their situation.
Extraction Process
The following are the steps that your dentist would take if you needed a simple extraction:
If you are undergoing a simple tooth extraction, your dentist would administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth. Next, they would use instruments to loosen the tooth. They will grasp it and extract it using forceps.
In some cases, there is not enough tooth structure above the gumline to allow for a simple extraction. A surgical extraction can be performed in this situation.
Your dentist would form an incision in the area surrounding the tooth, allowing access for dental instruments and the subsequent extraction of the tooth.
Since surgical extraction is a more complex procedure, it is normally performed under general anesthesia.
Tooth Sectioning
During a surgical tooth extraction, it is not uncommon for a tooth to need fragmenting into multiple pieces to achieve the removal of the tooth.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
After your tooth extraction, your dentist will place gauze over the extraction site. Using firm pressure, you can bite down on this gauze to help minimize bleeding. Keep the gauze in place for at least 30 minutes, replacing it if it becomes soaked. Is normal to experience some degree of swelling for a day or two after a tooth extraction.
Expect some numbness to persist at the extraction site for a few hours after the procedure. You may be prescribed pain medications to help alleviate post-procedure pain. In most cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are sufficient to control pain and discomfort.
After your tooth extraction, a blood clot will have developed in the socket. It is extremely important to not disturb this natural bandage. If the blood clot is disturbed, it can result in a complication called dry socket. This is when the underlying bone is exposed, leading to intense pain. If you have increasing pain that begins in two or three days after your extraction, contact your dentist right away.