What Is Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction, also known as “getting your teeth pulled,” involves the removal of one or more teeth from the patient’s mouth. Although the procedure is typically performed while the patient is awake, they are given a local anesthetic to prevent any pain. This dental procedure is commonly used to address various issues, such as severe tooth decay, overcrowding, or impacted wisdom teeth.
Why Do We Do Tooth Extraction?
- There are various reasons why a dentist may recommend tooth extraction. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Removing problematic wisdom teeth that can damage other teeth or cause future problems.
- Creating space in the mouth for orthodontic treatment, such as braces.
- Extracting severely damaged teeth that cannot be repaired with fillings or crowns due to decay or fractures.
- Removing baby teeth to allow permanent teeth to grow properly.
- Extracting infected teeth in patients with weakened immune systems, such as cancer or organ transplant patients.
What Happens When You Need A Tooth Extraction?
If you require a tooth extraction, the process will vary depending on the position of the tooth in your mouth. If the tooth has partially erupted, the dentist will use an elevator tool to loosen it before removing it with forceps. However, if the tooth has not yet fully erupted or has broken off inside the gum, the dentist will need to make an incision in the gum to extract it.
Most extractions are performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area being worked on. However, if you have a strong gag reflex or experience extreme anxiety during dental procedures, we can discuss the option of using general anesthesia to put you to sleep. At Big Lake Dental, we take the time to discuss your individual situation and ensure you are comfortable with the procedure before recommending the best course of action for your tooth extraction.
What Is The Tooth Extraction Recovery Process?
Here are some guidelines to follow for a successful recovery after tooth extraction:
- After the procedure, apply pressure on the extraction site with a piece of gauze for 20-30 minutes to promote blood clotting and stop bleeding. Bleeding should subside within 24 hours of the procedure.
- Avoid smoking, spitting, or using a straw immediately after the procedure, as it may dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.
- To alleviate pain, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken as directed by your dentist.
- To reduce swelling and pain, hold an ice pack against your face for 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes off, repeating as needed until the swelling subsides.
- To help keep the surgical site clean, rinse your mouth with a solution of warm salt water (one half-teaspoon of salt to one cup of water).
- For the first few days after the extraction, eat soft, cool foods like applesauce and ice cream.
- The healing process can take up to two weeks. If you experience any unusual symptoms such as continued bleeding after the first 24 hours, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fever, redness, chills, numbness, worsening pain, etc., contact your dentist immediately.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people may have enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth to grow normally, others may experience issues such as impaction, infection, or overcrowding.
Why Get Them Removed?
Although not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted, it is a common procedure for a good reason. In most cases, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for these molars to emerge properly, leading to impaction. This condition can result in several complications such as infection, tumors, or damage to neighboring teeth.
The type of impaction depends on the position of the tooth in the jaw. For instance, in soft tissue impaction, the crown emerges through the bone, but the gum tissue partially or fully blocks it. This situation can cause tooth decay and infections, leading to pain and discomfort.
Partial bony impaction occurs when the tooth partly emerges, but some of the crown is still under the gum tissue. This type of impaction can also cause infections and is susceptible to decay.
In complete bony impaction, the wisdom tooth does not emerge from the jawbone. In this case, the extraction process is more complicated.
At Big Lake Dental, we recommend extracting problem wisdom teeth, especially when patients experience discomfort, pain, infections, decay, or swelling. We also suggest removing them as a preventive measure.
How Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Work?
In most cases, wisdom teeth removal is carried out in a standard dental office, using local anesthesia and sometimes partial or full sedation, except for complex cases.
- Our dentists at Big Lake Dental who perform these surgeries have undergone specific training and have a wealth of experience in this area.
- After the procedure, you are able to go home and we will provide you with guidelines on how to take care of yourself during the healing process.
- Additionally, if you experience pain or swelling, we will offer medication to ease your discomfort.
