Tooth extractions are among the most common dental surgeries. Just in the US, over 5 million people get their third molars (wisdom teeth) extracted each year. And, when looking at other reasons for tooth extraction procedures, these figures are even bigger!
While it is normal to feel intimidated as the day of your appointment approaches, tooth extraction can drastically improve your oral health, mouth functionalities, and smile aesthetics.
Learning more about what to expect can help you overcome the feelings of anxiety and make the best choice for your oral health. Get started with the information below – but don’t hesitate to get in touch with a specialized dentist at Worcester Quality Dental to get all of your questions about tooth extraction answered.
Tooth Extraction: Let’s Cover the Basics
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure performed by a specialized oral surgeon. During this procedure, a tooth and its root are extracted from the gum. There are two types of tooth extractions:
- Simple tooth extractions aim to remove a visible tooth that is outside of the gum line
- Surgical tooth extractions aim to remove tooths that are below the gum line or have broken off while erupting.
The kind of procedure you’ll need depends on your specific needs. In any case, a specialized dentist at Worcester Quality Dental will guide you through each step.
When is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
While third molars extractions are among the most common kinds of extractions, there are multiple reasons why your dentists can recommend this surgical procedure.
Common reasons to consider a tooth extraction include:
- A tooth that is badly damaged from trauma or decay, is impacting your mouth’s functionalities and health.
- Multiple broken or damaged teeth might prevent you from speaking or eating normally.
- An overcrowded mouth might require the extraction of one or more teeth to give more space to erupting teeth, as well as prevent misalignments and crooked teeth.
- A tooth affected by a severe infection that has reached the center of the tooth (the pulp) can represent a dental emergency and pose a risk to your overall health
- If your immune system is compromised, your dentist will recommend preventing infections through tooth extraction
- If the tooth has been loosened or affected by periodontal disease (gum disease), it might need to be extracted.
How To Prepare For Your Tooth Extraction Procedure
Before your treatment, you will pencil in multiple appointments with your dentist at Worcester Quality Dental. During your time together, you will plan your treatment and discuss what’s ahead.
These appointments offer you the chance to get all of your questions answered – take advantage of this opportunity by writing down your questions beforehand.
What’s more, your pre-treatment appointments are necessary to communicate important details to your oral surgeon, which can make the procedure even safer and more comfortable.
These details include:
- Your medical history
- Your medications, prescription drugs, and supplements
- Any severe or chronic condition, including an impaired immune system, heart defect, or liver disease
Other details, such as the presence of artificial joints, man-made heart valves, or previous episodes of bacterial endocarditis should also be communicated to your dentist. But don’t worry, your surgeon will present you with an easy-to-answer questionnaire that you can fill in at your own time.
What To Expect From a Tooth Extraction
Once you are ready for your surgery, you will meet your specialized oral surgeon.
Before the procedure, you will be given a local or general anesthetic.
While the first will numb just the area of the tooth extraction, general anesthesia will affect your entire body.
In any case, you will not feel pain during the procedure, and you might even feel sleepy. If you suffer from dental anxiety, speak to your dentist in advance to find the best sedation option for your needs.
Once the anesthetic comes into effect, your dentist will uncover the tooth to be extracted by removing gum and bone tissue from the area. Then, the tooth will be moved back and forth using forceps. Once loosened from the jawbone, it is then pulled from its socket. If the tooth is harder to pull, your dentist might proceed to break it into easier-to-manage fragments.
Once the tooth is extracted, the dentist will place gauze on the area and ask you to add pressure by biting down to stop the bleeding.
At the end of the procedure, the tissue is closed with self-dissolving stitches.
Is a Tooth Extraction Painful?
For many adults and children, the pain associated with tooth extraction is often the cause of dental anxiety. For some, this might just be an uncomfortable feeling but, for others, it can be a severe hurdle that prevents them from getting the dental care they need.
So, let’s clarify: is a tooth extraction really that painful?
During the procedure, you won’t have to worry about pain as the general or local anesthetic will protect you from feeling any discomfort.
After the procedure, during the recovery period, you should expect side effects such as swelling, discomfort, and residual bleeding. These are only temporary symptoms that will subside within a few days. Make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions to speed up your recovery.
Consult Your Dentist at Worcester Quality Dental
While tooth extractions are common and extremely safe, it is normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed by the procedure ahead. Make sure to work with an experienced and specialized dentist and put your doubts to rest by calling (508) 754-0918. Ready to improve your oral health? Book an appointment at Worcester Quality Dental today.
