It may be frightening and nerve-wracking to be faced with the prospect of tooth extraction. Read on to learn more about this procedure. Unknown to many, tooth extraction is a common dental procedure, and knowing the process involved can help ease one's fear.
A filling, crown, or other dental treatment is typically used to restore teeth that have been fractured or damaged. However, if the damage is too severe to be repaired, a dentist may suggest extracting the tooth. Other reasons for a tooth extraction include:
Before tooth extraction, the dentist will go over the patient's medical and dental history and take the necessary x-rays. The x-ray will show the length, form, and location of the tooth and surrounding bone. The dentist may use this information to decide the tooth extraction method, which can be either simple or surgical.
The dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth's region before proceeding with the extraction. The dentist may also use intravenous (IV) anesthesia, which may vary from conscious sedation to general anesthetic, during a more complex extraction, known as a surgical tooth extraction. In this situation, patients need to make arrangements for transport home after the operation and have someone watch them until the effects of the anesthetic have worn off.
A simple extraction is done when the tooth is above the gum and visible. The dentist will numb the tooth and gum tissue and loosen it using an elevator before extracting it with dental forceps.
A surgical extraction is a more complicated procedure for removing a tooth that breaks at the gum line or has not yet erupted. The dental professional will make a tiny incision on the gum and remove the underlying tooth during a surgical extraction.
After tooth extraction, an essential thing to remember is to keep the area clean and free of infection. Following the treatment, the dentist will provide specific aftercare recommendations. Still, during the first 24 hours after the extraction, patients should avoid smoking, aggressively rinsing the mouth, or brushing around the extraction area.
Some pain and discomfort may occur after the procedure. In certain instances, the dentist may suggest or prescribe a pain reliever. Applying an ice pack to the cheek may help to decrease swelling. Limit vigorous exercise, stay away from hot drinks, and do not drink via a straw. Normally, discomfort should subside within three days to two weeks. If you have persistent or severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or a fever, contact your dental professional at once.
Whether you have undergone the procedure before or this is your first time, the best way to ensure a successful and pain-free operation is to carefully follow your dentist's instructions before and after the procedure. Tooth extraction can help you maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Request an appointment here: https://mgdental.com or call MG Dental at (718) 416-6444 for an appointment in our Brooklyn office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction in Brooklyn, NY.
An extraction is usually recommended as a last resort when a tooth is too damaged to be saved. The two main types of extractions performed by dentists are simple and surgical extractions. A simple extraction is performed when enough of the tooth is left above the gumline to pull it out with forceps. A surgical…
Tooth extraction can be frightening, but it is often necessary in order to keep a healthy mouth. There are a few important things to note about what comes after a tooth extraction, whether it be recovery or replacing the extracted tooth. In this article, we go over tooth extractions and what comes afterward. If you have…
Wisdom teeth extractions are among the most common oral surgeries performed by dentists, and orthodontists every day. Wisdom teeth have a tendency to come in later in life, often doing so at an unnatural angle that causes them to become stuck and unable to break the surface of the gums. When this happens, it is…
You may need emergency care if your tooth starts to hurt in the middle of the night, it becomes damaged during softball, or your face starts to swell. You never know when an emergency will strike, and if it does, there is no time to wait a week for an appointment to open up. That's…
Lasers can treat many dental conditions and diseases. They can also make dental procedures more…
A family dentist appointment generally focuses on overall preventive care and minor treatments unless a…
Every general dentist aims to keep the tooth intact. A root canal is one way…
A dental implant is much like a natural tooth that completes the entire dental structure.
Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite fillings, are dental restorations used to fill in holes in…
Invisalign® is a great treatment option for people looking to correct minor imperfections.
