Knowing that you have to have a tooth extracted is never exciting to hear but you may find comfort in knowing that it is not a particularly painful experience. There are so many reasons that you may have to have a tooth extracted and it is actually a common procedure. Many adolescent patients have to have their wisdom teeth extracted but as an adult, you may need to have a tooth extracted due to trauma, extensive decay, or gum disease.
There are two types of extractions: simple and surgical. A simple extraction is exactly what it sounds like, simply loosening and removing the tooth. A surgical extraction is a bit more complicated and is often used with wisdom tooth removal but may also be the suggested treatment for any impacted tooth or a tooth that is broken at the gum line.
What is the procedure for a surgical extraction?
In addition to impacted teeth or removing a root tip, teeth that are particularly fragile from extensive decay or those with curved roots may need to be extracted surgically. Wisdom teeth are almost always surgically extracted because they do not erupt straight out of the jaw. Wisdom teeth develop horizontally, making them perpendicular to the rest of the teeth. Most patients do not have enough space in their mouth to allow their wisdom tooth to turn and irrupt through the gum tissue so your doctor will need to use surgical techniques in order to access the tooth.
For a surgical extraction, the doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. Sometimes, the tooth may be impacted within the jaw and some of the bone will need to be removed in order to get to the tooth.
How painful is a surgical extraction?
The procedure to have a tooth surgically extracted is not painful at all. The only pain you will feel is the pinch of the needle used to administer the anesthetic and then you will be completely numb and will not feel a thing! You may feel some pressure and a pulling sensation but that is just your doctor working the tooth out.
Once your surgery is over, your doctor will provide postoperative instructions to help you heal quickly and minimize pain. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be prescribed pain medication to help manage any discomfort. After a day or two though, pain should be manageable with over-the-counter medication. It is normal to experience minor bleeding and swelling at the extraction site both of which will subside on their own within a day or two.
It is important to follow your postoperative instructions to avoid any unnecessary complications including infection. Dry socket is one such complication that can be very painful but is easily avoided by following the instructions regarding food, drink and oral care. Dry socket is when the blood clot that forms over the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing the bone and nerves to air and anything you consume. The blood clot can become dislodged if you sip through a straw or eat anything too tough. You will be advised to stick to a soft foods diet for a few days, eating things like mashed potatoes, lukewarm soups, and very well-done vegetables.
