Despite our best efforts, which often include practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental checkups, it may still be necessary to have a tooth extracted. For example, a tooth that has become severely damaged due to trauma may have to be extracted to prevent infection and other dental problems from occurring. Additional reasons to have a tooth extraction can include

Infection – Teeth that become severely decayed to the point where damage has reached the pulp, the soft area within the center of the tooth that contains the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue, may have to be extracted to prevent infection.

Crowded teeth – Also known as dental crowding, crowded teeth can cause pain and lead to misaligned teeth, both of which can make an extraction necessary.

While dental extractions are considered a last resort, they are necessary in some cases and can be distressing for those who have never undergone such a procedure. If any of this resonates with you, here is what you can expect during a tooth extraction:

Tooth extractions in Mesa are performed by either a dentist or oral surgeon and, in most cases, can be done within 20 to 40 minutes. That said, let’s take a closer look at what the entire procedure entails:

Before an extraction, the dentist will numb the areas surrounding the tooth using a local anesthetic like Novocaine, which will help minimize pain and discomfort during the procedure. In rare cases, typically those involving wisdom teeth, it may be necessary to use a general anesthetic. To remove the tooth, the dentist will use special instruments designed to loosen the tooth from the jaw bone and ligaments before finally pulling it out of its socket.

THINGS THAT CAN COMPLICATE A DENTAL EXTRACTION

Dental extractions are usually straightforward; however, they can become complicated depending on the condition of the patient’s teeth. For example, in cases involving an impacted tooth, the dentist may first have to cut away the bone and gum tissue that is covering teeth before starting the extraction process. This is often the case for those needing to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed. Also, following an extraction, some patients may develop a dry socket, a condition where the blood clot that forms after the extraction breaks loose and causes severe pain. If this occurs, the dentist will have to apply a sedative dressing over the socket to help minimize pain and prevent infection.

All in all, dental extractions are an effective way to resolve pain and prevent more serious dental problems. And thanks to pain medication and the expertise of a licensed dentist or oral surgeon, the procedure is relatively painless.