Your dentist might’ve told you that you need a tooth removed soon. It’s likely not what you wanted to hear, since many imagine it’s a very painful procedure. In fact, you may be tempted to put it off because of this! However, prolonging the treatment you need to preserve your smile can lead you to search for an emergency tooth extraction later. To help you feel better about the whole thing, here is what you can expect to feel during every step.
Step 1: Making Sure An Extraction Is Best
Before you can get a tooth pulled, your provider will do a thorough oral examination. They’ll look at it and might take an X-ray, so that they can see the extent of any damage, decay, or infection. Other treatments will be considered, as it’s always best to save a natural chomper first. However, if getting it removed will save your oral health, then they’ll work to get you the relief you deserve.
Step 2: Getting Your Tooth Numbed
Once it’s time for your extraction, they’ll get you numbed before even starting. You’ll be given a powerful local anesthetic. It helps you feel not much of anything around your tooth. This does take a bit for it to kick in, so your dentist will wait for a short while. After several minutes, they’ll ask you if you feel anything and are comfortable. When you give them the green light, they’ll start the procedure.
If you are especially anxious, then you can be given conscious sedation. This can help you feel relaxed and calm while your provider works.
Step 3: Starting the Removal Process
Special tools are used because they can apply controlled, gentle pressure. It helps rock the tooth out with minimal interruption to the surrounding tissues. As it comes out, your dentist will use forceps to wiggle it out, and that’s it! You are likely to feel some pressure, but you shouldn’t be in severe discomfort.
However, if your tooth is impacted, then it will need to be surgically removed, unlike the clean extraction above. No worries, as it’s still a simple process. Instead, your treatment will start by making small incisions on your gums covering the chomper. This will expose it, and it’ll be taken out piece by piece, then stitched closed! Thankfully, this doesn’t mean that it’ll hurt any more, but rather that you should feel some pressure as well.
Step 4: Recovering Afterward
Immediately after your treatment, you are likely not to be in any pain as the anesthesia takes a couple of hours to wear off. Once it does, you may feel sore, but you can manage it with some over-the-counter or prescribed medication. To help give your mouth a break, stick to eating soft foods and using an ice pack. That way, you can avoid feeling too much discomfort and have a smooth recovery to a problem-free smile.
About the Practice
At Metro Park Dental Arts, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists. We understand how a tooth extraction can be a stressful experience, so our goal is to make it as easy as possible. By offering same-day emergency appointments, you can find relief from it as sooner rather than later. When it’s time for your treatment, we offer conscious sedation to make it more comfortable for you. If you are worried about your upcoming procedure, schedule an appointment so we can answer your questions or call us at (479) 845-1191.