For most people, extraction isn’t a procedure that you tend to look forward to. Still, they are often a necessary part of responsible dental care. If you need a tooth extraction in Seminole, FL, here’s what you can expect from the procedure.
What to Expect When You Need a Tooth Extracted
Preparing for the Procedure
Only your dentist will be able to tell you if you require a tooth extraction. In some cases, more than one tooth will need to be extracted. There are multiple reasons for needing a tooth removed, including excessive decay or damage due to injury.
Whatever the reason for your extraction, it’s important to be prepared. Most dentists will see that their patients require the procedure during a routine checkup or cleaning. This heads up will give you adequate time to prepare and think of any questions you may have. Once you know that you require the procedure, ask anything that comes to mind. It’s important that you are fully prepared for the procedure and know what to expect ahead of time.
Your dentist may have some questions for you too. For example, they may want to know what type of anesthesia and/or painkillers you would like before the procedure. Different dentists offer different options. Anesthesia and/or sedation can often work well for this procedure, especially for patients who are particularly fearful of dental procedures.
Your dentist will also let you know some guidelines as you prepare for the procedure. For example, you may need to schedule someone to take you home after your tooth extraction, especially if you plan on having anesthesia and sedation. It’s also likely that you’ll need to avoid eating at least 12 hours prior to the surgery.
During the Procedure
There are a few different types of tooth removal procedures. For example, a surgical extraction may be necessary for wisdom teeth or any other teeth that have not fully erupted into the mouth. A simple extraction is a procedure wherein an already fully erupted tooth needs to be removed.
Simple Extraction Procedure
Simple extractions are fairly straightforward. Your dentist will numb the area. They will then use a device called an elevator to loosen the tooth before removing it with forceps.
Surgical Extraction Procedure
Surgical tooth extraction is more involved. Your dentist will begin by again numbing the area with a few shots of anesthetic.
What essentially needs to happen with this procedure is your dentist must pull the tooth from its socket in your jaw. Naturally, the tooth will be firmly in place within the socket. A ligament also helps attach the tooth.
Therefore, to remove it, your dentist must make the socket larger before separating the ligament and pulling out the tooth. Around your teeth, the bone tends to be rather spongy, so your dentist will rock the tooth to and fro against the walls of the socket, and this will cause the bone to recede so that there will be enough space for the dentist to separate the tooth from the ligament and ultimately, remove the tooth.
Most patients recall feeling a lot of pressure at the extraction site and hearing some loud noises from the dental tools being used. However, you should not feel pain during this procedure as the area will be sufficiently numbed.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
There are three main things that you must do after an extraction: control bleeding, minimize swelling, and avoid pain.
First, it’s important to control the bleeding. Naturally, your mouth is going to bleed a lot after a tooth has been pulled out of your jaw. Therefore, most patients will need to create pressure at the site of the extraction by biting down on some gauze directly after the procedure. In some cases, you’ll need to continue applying pressure to the area for 30 minutes to an hour.
Next, you’ll need to minimize the swelling. Your dentist will provide you with directions regarding this step. Most likely, you’ll need to apply an ice pack to your face on the affected side.
Lastly, you’ll want to reduce pain. Taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen can help with this. Doctors and dentists recommend “staying on top of the pain,” which means keeping up with regular doses so that the pain never gets a chance to seep through the effectiveness of the ibuprofen or whatever pain medication you are using. A medicine like ibuprofen can also help reduce swelling.
Your dentist will provide you with a list of other guidelines you must follow during recovery from your tooth extraction. For example, you’ll need to eat soft foods or an all-liquid diet for at least a few days after the procedure. You’ll need to avoid physical activity and take care when brushing your teeth and flossing. You may also need to rinse your mouth regularly with warm salt water.
In general, it’s good to take it easy for a few days afterward. Lay on the couch, read a good book, and get plenty of sleep and liquids.
Tooth Extractions at Dolphin Dental
If you need a tooth extraction, Dolphin Dental in Seminole, Florida can help. We are honest dentists, providing gentle, comprehensive care to all of our valued patients.
Give us a call at 727-393-9334 to schedule an appointment if you’ve been having pain or discomfort in or around a tooth. In addition to tooth extractions, we also offer cleanings and general dentistry procedures, dental implants, and cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry procedures.
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