What to Expect When Getting a Tooth Extraction
Thanks to modern dentistry, tooth extractions nowadays are not as common as they used to be a decade ago. Today, dentists try to save even the most badly damaged teeth from getting extracted. However, there are still some cases where your dentist may have to pull out a tooth. If your dentist has recommended getting one of your teeth extracted, and you’re wondering what to expect during the procedure, then read on.
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Tooth Extraction; What Happens During the Procedure
Dental extraction is a simple procedure that is normally completed within an hour. Here are the steps involved in the tooth extraction process:
- Anesthesia - first, your dentist will administer anesthesia to make you comfortable and relaxed. In cases where a patient is extremely apprehensive, frightened, or uncooperative, your Buford Dentist may choose to perform the procedure under IV sedation.
- Pulling the Tooth Out - once you are completely comfortable, your dentist will use an instrument called the elevator to break the fibrous connections between the tooth, gums and the jawbone. Afterward, they will use another elevator in a lever-action to make the tooth mobile within its socket. Finally, your dentist will use forceps and gently apply controlled, outward forces on the tooth in a figure-of-eight fashion to pull it out.
- Socket Cleaning - immediately after the extraction, your dentist Buford will clean the extraction socket and apply pressure with a clean gauze to stop the bleeding. You will be asked to bite over the socket for some time to ensure good-quality clot formation - that ultimately converts into bone that fills the space inside the socket. Your Braselton dentist may also recommend a socket preservation technique. This involves placing bone into the open socket to preserve your jaw and bone structure.
That’s it. Your tooth has been removed.
What to Expect Following Tooth Extraction
A few hours after the extraction, the effect of the anesthetic will eventually wear off, and may cause slight pain and discomfort. To prevent this, your dentist Buford may prescribe you pain medication - to take after the extraction so that you remain pain-free.
The American Dental Association has given the following instructions to ensure optimal healing of the extraction site:
- Avoid heating hard foods for a few days. Try to chew from the other side for the next few days
- Do not touch the extraction site with your fingers or tongue
- Avoid smoking or alcoholic beverages for 24 hours
- Do not use a straw to drink anything for the next 24 hours
- Limit strenuous physical activity for the next 24 hours as it may result in the dislodgment of the clot
- Place an ice pack over the face; this will help in minimizing discomfort and swelling.
Tooth extraction is a safe and usually a pain-free procedure when done by an experienced Dentist in Braselton. If you are looking for an experienced dentist in Braselton, look no more! At Smile Studio of Buford we offer high-quality dental services under one roof, in a comfortable, relaxing environment, and at affordable rates.
Author
Dr. Oluyemi Workman
