Tooth Extraction: What to Expect

If you have never had a tooth pulled before due to injury or decay, the prospect can sound pretty disturbing. However, the more you learn about tooth extraction, the more you will learn that it is typically a very straight forward procedure. If you are feeling particularly anxious, consider scheduling a consultation with a dentist for a detailed explanation of what all is involved; you will feel much better once you learn what it is all about. Even if you have complications that require a more involved tooth extraction, remember that it is an unavoidable but short procedure that will soon be nothing more than a memory. Here is a step-by-step explanation from a patient's view on what to expect during a tooth extraction, as well as some tips to make the procedure as simple as possible for you and your dentist.

Getting Prepped

With the X-rays, Novocaine and all of the waiting, getting prepped for a tooth extraction usually takes much longer that having the tooth pulled itself. Be sure to inform the dental office of all medications that you have been taking, as there are several medicines that the dentist really needs to know about before beginning a tooth extraction. Once the dentist has the requisite X-rays, the first thing that will happen in the dentist chair are your Novocaine shots. In most cases this is the only actually painful portion of a tooth extraction. From what I have read, the source of the pain isn't so much the needle puncture as it is the pressure of the Novocaine being shot into the gums. Although this will sting, the important part is to remain still so that the dentist does not have to make multiple attempts due to your squirming and flinching. If you're a little nervous, try picking a point on the ceiling or wall and focusing as hard as you can on that point until the dentist is done.

After the injections are done, you will probably be left alone for ten to fifteen minutes to wait for the Novocaine to kick in. By the time that it has taken effect, you should feel like you have a fat lip and part of your tongue should feel partially numb. If this isn't the case, inform the dental staff, as they may want to give you more Novocaine. If they do, rest assured that they'll really knock out the area the second time around.

Extraction

By the time you are finally numb, you'll probably be ready to get it over with. At this point, just try to relax and let the dentist do his or her thing. Although you shouldn't feel much, if any, pain, expect to feel alot pressure as the dentist pries the tooth loose. For most patients, the most disturbing part of a tooth extraction is the crunching sounds that accompany the process. Even when you're expecting it, the crunching of the tooth giving way is a pretty weird experience. With a little luck, the dentist will have the tooth out in no time (mine took 1-2 minutes). If there are complications like deteriorated tooth breaking during the extraction, keep your cool. Your dentist deals with these problems regularly, and, with a little perseverance, you'll still be out of the chair shortly.

Aftercare

Immediately after the tooth extraction, the dentist or assistant will put a patch of gauze in place and instruct you to bite down firmly. Follow your dentist's aftercare directions on how frequently to change the gauze, as keeping a patch in place for too long could disturb the blood clotting process. As traumatic as a tooth extraction might sound, there is often surprising little residual pain if the extraction was straight forward. You might not even need much in the way of pain medications.

For more information on tooth extraction aftercare, check out my article on the subject located here on Associated Content.

Sources:

http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32226/t.31933/pr.3.html

http://www.mynewsmile.com/dental/tooth_extraction.htm

http://www.toothandteeth.com/tooth-and-teeth-extraction.html

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourhealth/healthgate/getcontent.asp?URLhealthgate=%2214873.html%2