Tooth extraction is a surgery that a dentist or an oral surgeon performs, to take out a tooth from the mouth. This procedure is often done for a number of reasons, such as excessive tooth decay, an infection, or a person’s teeth maybe just too close together (Also known as crowding). Although fairly straightforward, it’s not as common as teeth whitening or especially teeth cleaning.
Overall, there are two types of tooth extractions. Simple and surgical.
Simple Tooth Extraction
Simple extractions are done on teeth that are easy to work with (Especially if they are easy to see visually). In this procedure, two types of tools are used.
- Elevator: Helps in loosening the tooth in question.
- Forceps: Helps in polluting the tooth out once it’s loose.
Here are the usual steps involved during a Simple Extraction:
- First the patient will fill out any paperwork that needs to be done.
- The dentist will look at the patient’s medical history, and explain why the tooth is being pulled. If you are the patient, please ask the dentist to explain the procedure first. As it will help you understand the process, and get you both on the same wavelength.
- A local anesthetic will be used by the dentist so they can properly number the areas required (Usually around the tooth).
- After numbing the area, the dentist will use a tool called an elevator to pull the tooth out of its socket.
- The dentist will then hold on to the tooth with their forceps, and slowly move it around to loosen it further.
- When the tooth feels like it’s loose enough, the dentist will then use the same forceps (Most likely) to pull your tooth out.
- The dentist will then put a piece of gauze over the hole and ask the patient to bite down to help stop any bleeding.
- The dentist will provide the patient with aftercare instructions, including how to manage any pain or swelling, what foods to avoid, and how to properly care for the extraction site.
- The patient will be then asked to schedule a follow-up appointment, to ensure proper healing.
Please note that some extractions may be more complicated, and may require more steps or additional tools.
It all depends on the dentist, and what your situation is.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
Surgical extractions, on the other hand, are done on broken, below-the-surface, or impacted teeth.
To get to the tooth, the dentist has to go deep and sometimes, cut into the gum. Although they may use the same type of tools as in a simple extraction, some additional tools that may be used are as follows:
- Drill
- Chisel
Yes it’s not the most fun sounding procedure, but a necessary one for the person who may need it. Don’t worry, these are not tools from your toolbox.
They are medically sterile devices.
Steps involved in a Surgical tooth extraction:
First, a local or other anesthetic will be injected into the area around the tooth.This will make it a less painful process for the patient as the tooth will be pulled out.
The dentist will then cut through the gum tissue to get to the tooth, and bone around it.
The dentist will use special tools, like a drill or a chisel, to carefully pull the tooth out of the bone socket where it is attached.
If the tooth is hard to pull out, the dentist may have to cut it into smaller pieces to make the process easier.
Once the tooth is out, the dentist will clean the area and may need to sew the gum tissue back together.
Next, the patient will be given instructions on how to care for the specific area or areas, and how to deal with any pain or swelling.
It’s important to know that surgical extractions are usually more complicated than simple extractions, and depending on the case, they may involve more steps or procedures.
Preparing for Tooth Extraction
Before agreeing to getting your tooth pulled, make sure you tell your dentist about any medication that you may be taking.
After all, the last thing you need here is any more complications. As they can be painful, and take time to get sorted.
Patients should also follow a few basic rules on the day of their tooth extraction. Just to make sure everything goes well.
The actual procedure can be done with either a local, or general anaesthesia, and it usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
So it’s not like the procedure is long and enduring, it’s just getting ready for it mentally, and perhaps physically as well.
It will start off with an X-Ray, and then depending if the procedure is simple or surgical, the appropriate measures will be taken.
Aftercare
After getting a tooth pulled, it’s important to take good care of the area to help it heal fast, and lower the chance of getting an infection.
Patients should gently bite down on gauze to stop the bleeding, use an ice pack to reduce swelling, take pain medication as prescribed, avoid smoking or using tobacco products, eat soft foods, and avoid chewing on the area where the tooth was pulled. The chewing part . . . yes easier said than done. We know.
Overall, a tooth extraction can seem scary, but if you prepare well, and follow the instructions for after the procedure, you should be able to recover well and surprisingly fast as well.
Common Tooth Extraction Questions
Here we’ve gathered a few common inquiries regarding tooth extraction, etc. Please note, due to the nature of this section, most likely this will be a growing section. With the information being updated as the times evolve.
Is tooth extraction painful?
The tooth extraction procedure itself is usually not painful, as the dentist will administer local or general anesthesia. This will “numb” the appropriate areas around the tooth. However, patients may experience some discomfort or soreness after the procedure, which can be managed with pain medication.
What kind of recovery time are we looking at?
The recovery time can vary, depending on how complicated the extraction may be, and the individual’s overall health. Generally, it takes several days to a week to recover from a simple extraction, and sometimes, even a few weeks. Really depends on the individual.
When can I start eating normally again, after a tooth extraction?
Well for the first few hours, it’s best to avoid any types of food. The idea here is for your body to naturally form a blood clot around the extraction area first. After that, stick to soft foods and avoid the side where you had the extraction as much as you can. Perhaps stick to liquid protein shakes for a few days, etc.
How can I prevent complications after a tooth extraction?
To prevent complications such as infection or a “dry socket”, it is important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions. Including keeping the extracted tooth area clean. This is definitely a must. Next, avoid any smoking, and just stay off the hard / solid foods for a while. Especially in the first few weeks. Please refer to your dentist for more help.
Can I drive after a tooth extraction?
If you received general anesthesia during the procedure, you should arrange for someone to drive you home afterward. If you received local anesthesia, you may be able to drive yourself home. That said, it is important to wait until the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. We recommend that regardless, it’s best to arrange someone to drive you home. Perhaps an Uber, etc.