In a perfect, world, everyone would be able to keep all of their natural teeth for a lifetime. Unfortunately, though, things like decay, impacted wisdom teeth, and gum disease may lead to the need for tooth removal. If you must soon undergo an extraction, it is understandable if you are nervous. To put some of your concerns to rest, read this blog post. It provides a succinct play-by-play of what you can expect before, during, and after your tooth extraction.
Numbing and Sedation
Before the actual extraction gets started, your mouth will be numbed. This usually involves injections with a very small needle — you may feel a pinching sensation, which can be a little uncomfortable but not really painful. Depending on the circumstances, sedation may also be used during your procedure. There are different types and levels of sedation; your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend the one that is best is best for you.
Removing the Tooth
After you are comfortable, the procedure gets underway. There are two broad categories of tooth extractions:
- A simple extraction is what happens in most dental offices. The dentist lifts the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, after which they use forceps to rock it back and forth, breaking the ligaments that bind it to the surrounding tissues. You might experience a tugging sensation, but you should not feel any pain.
- A surgical extraction is usually performed by an oral surgeon or another specialist. They may need to make incisions in your gums and possibly break the tooth into pieces. This type of extraction is often used for wisdom teeth. Again, you should not feel any pain, but pulling and tugging sensations are to be expected unless you are sedated.
After the Tooth Is Removed
After the tooth is out of its socket, your dental team will clean the socket and surrounding area to clear away leftover bone fragments. You might also need a few sutures to close any incisions. You may need to hold gauze in your mouth to keep bleeding to a minimum. The effects of your anesthesia and/or sedation will likely linger for several hours, so at this point, you should still be quite comfortable.
Recovery
After you go home and your anesthesia and sedation start to wear off, you can expect to experience some general discomfort. Swelling is also normal. Taking medications, getting plenty of rest, and sticking to soft foods will all minimize your pain. A cold compress can help to control swelling. After a few days to a week or so, you will probably be feeling back to normal.
Do you have an upcoming tooth extraction? Your dentist will do their best to make sure you are as comfortable as possible during every step of your procedure.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Steve Koo and William Shepard are the highly skilled oral surgeons at Piney Point Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Katy/Cypress. Surgical tooth extractions, including wisdom tooth removal, are among the many services they offer. They are also qualified to offer powerful sedation. To learn more about them and how they may be able to serve you, reach out to our office at 832-353-1100.