Tooth Extractions
What To Know About Tooth Extraction
When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled, or extracted.
Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases, a patient who has tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding.
Dentists and oral surgeons perform tooth extractions for many reasons. The issue may be a painful wisdom tooth or a tooth that has been badly damaged by decay. In some cases, a dentist will remove a tooth to make space for dental prosthetics or braces.
Tooth Extractions Made Pain Free
Anesthesia during surgery
The person will receive an injection of local anesthetic close to the site of the extraction.
This will numb the area so that the person will not feel any pain. The numbness will continue for a few hours after the surgery.
A person can request additional anesthetic or sedative medication to minimize anxiety during the procedure.
The dentist or surgeon may offer:
• nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas
• an oral sedative medication
• intravenous, or IV, sedation
• general anesthetic
A person who receives general anesthetic will be completely asleep during the procedure.
Some dentists do not have the options above at their offices. If a person requires any of these, they should let their dentist know during the consultation, and the dentist may refer them to an oral surgeon.
