Tooth Extraction: Procedure And Healing

Certain dental conditions may require you to undergo the procedure of tooth extraction. This is when the dentist has to pull out one or more of your teeth in order to fix the underlying issue. More often than not, dentists will try their best to save the tooth but if that’s not possible when it comes to maintaining your overall dental health, extraction becomes necessary.

Main Reasons for Tooth Extraction

There are several different situations that could lead to teeth extraction. Most common reasons include the following:

• Braces: The patient needs to get braces or retainers so they have to through the tooth extraction in order to prepare for the procedure.
• No space: Sometimes it’s necessary to pull some teeth out if the jaw cannot support all of them properly. This is especially common when wisdom teeth are concerned as they can crowd up and even cause infections.
• Irreparable damage: In case tooth decay has become so severe that the dentist simply cannot use other methods such as filling or crown to repair the issue, dental extraction is the only solution.
• Chemotherapy: Patients who have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments in the area of their head/neck are at risk of their teeth becoming infected. If this happens, pulling the teeth is necessary.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

Before the dentist pulls out your teeth, they will apply local anesthetic in order to numb the targeted area. If you feel nervous, you might also get a sedative to subdue your anxiety. If you’re dealing with the extraction of a tooth that’s already impacted, chances are your dentist will have to break it apart for easier removal. Essentially, there are two types of teeth extractions: simple and surgical.

Simple Tooth Extraction

Removing a tooth that is visible in the patient’s mouth is known as a simple tooth extraction. Local anesthetic and potential anti-anxiety meds are all that’s necessary for preparation. General dentists can perform this procedure. Once the tooth is pulled out, the patient can manage the pain with over-the-counter meds.

Surgical Tooth Extraction

When it comes to surgical tooth extraction, an oral surgeon has to perform the procedure. Essentially, this treatment is necessary when the teeth that need to be pulled are not visible in the patient’s mouth, either because they still haven’t come in or they have broken off completely. In some cases, general anesthesia might be necessary for this procedure. Also, it’s common to get prescription meds to manage the pain afterward.

Healing and Recovery After Tooth Extraction

Fortunately, the process of healing and recovery post-tooth extraction doesn’t last too long. The most important thing, in this case, is to follow your dentist’s advice properly. This will mainly revolve around your oral care.

For starters, you’ll have to stick to soft foods for a couple of days after the extraction. Also, don’t eat anything until the anesthesia wears off. Of course, you can drink water.

It’s crucial that you maintain good oral hygiene. During the first day after the tooth extraction, you should avoid the affected area in your mouth but still brush the rest of your teeth as usual. After just two days you can resume your regular oral hygiene routine.

Dealing with dental issues is never pleasant. This is why we at Gables Sedation Dentistry go the extra mile to ensure our patients feel comfortable and relaxed. With the top-notch equipment and our dentist specialists, it’s our goal to provide the patients with the best possible dental service that’s completely free of stress and anxiety. If you have any questions or wish to book an appointment, feel free to get in touch with us.