Under ideal circumstances, you would be able to retain your natural teeth throughout your lifetime. Sadly, that might not be the case. Due to things like decay, accidents, or gum disease, you might come to the point where you require a tooth extraction. It is only natural to feel a bit nervous about the removal procedure! This blog post explains how tooth extractions are performed and what they feel like. Hopefully, it will make you feel more prepared for the road ahead.
Making You Comfortable
The last thing your dentist wants is for you to be in pain, so you can expect them to use local anesthesia to numb your mouth. You may feel a pinching sensation as the anesthetic is injected, which can be mildly uncomfortable. After the anesthesia starts to work, you may be able to feel pressure but no real pain.
If you are particularly nervous about your procedure, or you are not easily numbed by local anesthesia, ask your dental team if you are a candidate for sedation. It can help you to stay calm and relaxed throughout your appointment.
Removing the Tooth
There are two types of tooth extractions. During a simple extraction, also called a non-surgical extraction, your dentist will use an instrument called an elevator to lift the tooth before they grip it with forceps and wiggle it in order to break the connective tissues keeping it in place. You may feel mild pressure as this happens.
Surgical extractions are more complex and might require incisions in your gums or that your tooth be broken into pieces. However, you should not experience pain during this process thanks to the help of anesthesia and sedation.
Finishing the Procedure
After the tooth has been removed, your dentist may clean its socket to remove loose fragments of bone or tooth. Then, if you underwent a surgical extraction, you might need some dissolvable sutures. Gauze can be placed in your mouth to keep any bleeding under control. You might be asked to bite on it for an hour or so.
After Your Treatment
Once any anesthesia and sedation wear off, some swelling and soreness are to be expected. You should follow instructions from your dental team to minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of post-op complications. For example, you might need to eat a soft diet, get plenty of rest, and take pain medications. You can always call your dentist if you have questions during your recovery. Most patients are feeling back to normal within 1 – 2 weeks of their extraction.
The tooth extraction procedure can produce some strange sensations, but it should not cause any extreme pain. In fact, it is much easier than most patients expect!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Hamid Ranjbaran and Jesse Johnson are proud to provide top-quality dental services for the Rio Rancho community. Whether you need tooth extractions, dental sedation, or other treatments to maintain or achieve a healthy smile, they are eager to serve! If you have questions about how they may be able to help you, contact Southwest Dental at 505-896-9399.