When to Have Teeth Pulled

Root canal therapy (RCT) may be successful at saving a tooth. But in certain situations, extraction may be the only solution.

Dentists typically start by administering local anesthetic, then they use tools called elevator and forceps to loosen and rock back and forth on a tooth until it can be extracted.

Preparation

Before extracting a tooth, a dentist will conduct an exam of the area to ascertain its necessity. He or she will attempt to save it through root canal therapy (RCT) or seek alternatives, though in certain instances extraction may be the only viable solution. Indications of needing extraction include extreme tooth pain, sensitivity issues and swollen gums – three major symptoms.

A dentist will also look out for any signs that the tooth is infected. While infections in teeth can often be addressed with antibiotics or RCT treatments, if their infection has reached too far it may require extraction. As well as performing an oral exam and taking X-rays of both the affected area and nearby bone to assess curvature and angle of root structure. This step helps the doctor plan out tooth removal without complications occurring later.

An injection will be given into the area surrounding their tooth in order to alleviate pain during the procedure. It usually takes only minutes for this injection to take effect fully; if your tooth is at the back of your jaw however, stronger anesthetic might be used so your dentist can work quickly while minimizing discomfort during this process.

Once the area is numb, the dentist will use tools to loosen and extract your tooth before extracting it with forceps. After the extraction is completed, an extraction gap may remain; in such instances your dentist might close this with stitches or provide soft cotton padding to reduce bleeding and protect the wound.

At this stage, it’s important to let the blood clot and heal naturally, without disturbing the site. Smoking and taking aspirin increases the risk of post-extraction bleeding and swelling, so patients should refrain from smoking or taking these products during this period.

Preparing for recovery means making arrangements for transportation home and taking time off work or sports as soon as possible after surgery. Depending on their sedation type, someone must give them a ride after their procedure is over – this requires making sure someone else provides transportation.

Anesthetic

Dependent upon the type of oral surgery performed, different anesthetic options are available. Some treatments use local anesthesia, which numbs the area around your tooth so you don’t experience pain or discomfort during treatment; other forms use sedation or general anesthesia that enables patients to sleep through their procedure and awake without memory of it being completed.

Your anesthetic selection depends on both the severity of your condition and personal preference. Local anesthesia, which blocks nerve signals from reaching your brain, is typically administered through injection into the mouth or near a problem tooth and blocks nerve endings from sending messages directly. While local anesthesia is typically quick and effective for procedures like extracting damaged teeth, some patients have issues at injection sites due to infections or hematatoma – an accumulation of blood under the skin which causes redness, swelling, and pain that requires antibiotics before procedures or dissolving stitches instead. If this applies to you then your dentist may recommend taking antibiotics prior or using dissolving stitches instead.

For more complex procedures, your dentist may use a combination of sedation and local anesthesia to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. Nitrous oxide sedation may be added alongside local anesthesia in order to alleviate pre-surgery anxiety while providing comfort during surgery. Sedation or general anesthesia can also be administered through an IV line so that you remain asleep throughout the procedure.

Although complications with anesthesia are uncommon, you should notify your dentist or oral surgeon of any health conditions which might reduce its efficacy for you. Some common medications including antidepressants and pain relievers could have an impact on its effectiveness.

Some patients report experiencing a pins and needles sensation after receiving an anesthetic, which can last several hours. Ibuprofen can help ease any discomfort until your anesthetic wears off; after your procedure, your dentist may place gauze over the extraction site so you can bite down on it to help support healing in its socket.

Extraction

Most people will need one or more teeth extracted at some point during their lives to reduce pain, improve oral health and make room for other ones. A dentist can perform this procedure, which while it might sound scary at first can usually be completed quickly and painlessly. A person can help ensure a speedy recovery by following his or her dentist’s recommendations before and after the extraction procedure.

Beginning the extraction procedure usually involves injecting local anesthetic near the affected tooth to numb it, although sometimes general anesthesia will be administered if extraction proves more challenging than expected.

Once numbing agent has been applied, the dentist uses dental forceps to carefully extract damaged teeth using dental forceps. A gauze pad will then be applied over the wound in order to control bleeding and promote blood clotting within the socket. A dentist may also place stitches, usually self-dissolving ones, to close off the socket post procedure.

To minimize infection, a person should rinse their mouth gently with warm salt water after each appointment and take antibiotics as directed. Furthermore, keeping their mouth as clean as possible by not brushing or using straws when drinking should help ensure an infection-free recovery process. Initially they should consume soft foods like yogurt or pudding and gradually add other foods as tolerated into their diets.

People should use painkillers that are both prescribed and over-the-counter to ease discomfort, such as anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin/Advil. For optimal results, consider opting for anti-inflammatory treatment such as this over acetaminophen (Tylenol).

After surgery, it is vital that individuals rest and limit their activities as this will expedite the healing process. Smoking or using straws should also be avoided to avoid dry socket, as smoking or using them interfere with clot formation and result in painful swelling and pus-filled craters in gums resulting from dry socket. It is advisable for people to seek professional medical advice immediately should any pain, excessive bleeding or bone fragments or spurs appear after surgery has taken place.

Recovery

If your tooth has been compromised due to trauma or severe decay, a dental professional may suggest having it extracted. The procedure typically occurs in a dental office using local anesthetics; however, general anesthesia can sometimes be administered instead. While tooth extraction was once considered painful process, modern anesthetics and tools make the experience relatively painless for most patients.

Once the procedure has concluded, you may experience discomfort as the anesthetic wears off. Your dentist or oral surgeon will offer prescription or over-the-counter painkillers to reduce this discomfort; applying ice packs in 15-minute intervals is another helpful way of relieving swelling and pain.

After an extraction, it is best to refrain from rinsing or brushing the area where the tooth was extracted for 24 hours or so afterward, in order to preserve any blood clot that forms in its place. Smoking or tobacco use could impede with healing processes. Also avoid physical activities which could increase pain levels and risk infections during this timeframe.

For optimal recovery during this phase, soft foods that do not require much chewing should be eaten frequently to help ensure food does not become trapped in an empty socket; examples include soup, yogurt and applesauce. It is also wise to rinse your mouth frequently with warm salt water to reduce bacteria growth in an empty socket and maintain hygiene.

Consume plenty of water and limit your alcohol intake. Drinking too much alcohol may dislodge clots that form at tooth extraction sites and hinder healing time, as can drinking through straws which dislodges these clots further and delays healing processes.

After having your tooth extracted, it’s essential that you get adequate rest and sleep with your head elevated in order to minimize pain, swelling and bleeding following the procedure. In addition, take any prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications as directed; continue eating soft foods; use mouthwash containing either saline or salt as recommended to avoid bacteria growing into empty sockets thereby speeding healing; continue soft foods consumption as this will also aid healing processes and speed recovery time.