What to Expect After Having a Tooth Pulled
Overview
A tooth extraction is a dental process during which your molar is completely removed from its socket. Sometimes, people refer to this as "pulling" a tooth.
Healthcare providers prefer to save natural teeth whenever possible. Only sometimes, other restorative methods — such as dental fillings or dental crowns — aren't enough. If your tooth has been desperately damaged by the point of repair, then removal may be necessary. Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if you have:
- Severe tooth decay (cavities).
- A fractured tooth.
- An impacted tooth.
- Crowded teeth.
- Severe gum disease.
- Molar luxation or other dental injuries.
Dentists and some dental specialists — such as oral surgeons and periodontists — can perform tooth extractions. While general dentists perform plenty of extractions, more complex cases are usually referred out to oral surgeons or periodontists.
Procedure Details
Your dentist will assess your affected tooth and surrounding gums. Your dentist volition also take dental X-rays to cheque os levels and determine the extent of damage. Be sure to tell your dentist nearly whatever medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking. Once all information is gathered, handling and sedation options volition be discussed with you in detail.
Sedation options in dentistry
Many healthcare providers offer sedation during tooth extractions and other dental procedures. Sedation is an fantabulous option for people who accept dental anxiety — or for those who simply want to exist more comfortable during their appointment. Sedation medications used in dentistry include:
- Nitrous oxide. Known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a gas that you inhale through a mask or nosepiece. It's a expert option for people who need light level sedation. People who cull nitrous oxide can drive themselves to and from their appointments.
- Oral conscious sedation. This type of sedation is given by mouth, usually in pill form, about an hour earlier your dental appointment. Common medications used for this purpose include diazepam, midazolam, triazolam and lorazepam. Oral conscious sedation tin can be used on its own or in combination with nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation. Dosages are adjusted according to your specific needs. People who choose oral conscious sedation volition need a friend or family member to drive them to and from their appointment.
- Intravenous (4) sedation. This is recommended for people with meaning dental anxiety or for those undergoing lengthy procedures. Sedative and hurting medications — such as midazolam and meperidine — are delivered direct to your bloodstream using an IV line. 4 sedation is the highest level of sedation that tin can exist obtained in a dental function setting. People who choose IV sedation volition need to make arrangements for a driver the 24-hour interval of their process.
In some instances, your dental provider may recommend full general anesthesia in a hospital setting. This option is normally reserved for complex cases, such every bit facial reconstruction or corrective jaw surgery.
First, local anesthesia is given to numb your affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Using specialized dental instruments, your dentist will gently loosen your tooth and carefully elevator it from its socket. Sometimes, your dentist might need to make incisions in your gums to admission your tooth — especially if your tooth is badly decayed or has broken off at the gum line. In one case your tooth is removed, the socket is cleaned and disinfected. In some cases, your dentist may too identify a dental bone graft, which helps preclude bone loss in your jaw. Finally, stitches may be placed to assist promote healing.
When the procedure is consummate, your dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site and ask you lot to shut down with business firm, steady pressure. This helps slow bleeding so a claret jell tin form. (Clotting is a normal aspect of recovery. It promotes healing and reduces the risk of dry sockets.) You'll take the gauze out in one case the bleeding has slowed enough. You may proceed to have calorie-free bleeding throughout the outset 24 hours.
Risks / Benefits
What are the advantages of pulling a tooth?
Tooth extraction offers a number of benefits. Most importantly, information technology reduces harmful bacteria that tin can damage your teeth and gums. Left untreated, a decayed or damaged tooth can wreak havoc on your smiling, causing a domino outcome of issues. Removing your afflicted tooth gives you the best risk for optimal oral health. Additionally, a tooth extraction tin can help ease dental hurting almost immediately — particularly if your tooth was severely broken or infected.
Like any surgical procedure, tooth extraction carries a small risk of complications. These may include:
- Post-surgical infection.
- Dry socket.
- Nerve injury.
- Perforation of maxillary sinus.
- Delayed healing.
What are the side effects of removing a tooth?
Normal side effects following tooth extraction include bleeding, swelling and discomfort. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to successfully manage your healing.
Recovery and Outlook
Information technology depends on the complexity of your case. However, most people feel back to normal in just a few days. While you lot'll be able to return to routine activities inside 48 to 72 hours, it usually takes the jawbone several weeks to heal completely. Therefore, if you're planning on replacing the molar with a dental implant, yous'll probably need to expect a few months to allow for full recovery.
Subsequently your extraction, your dentist will requite you a detailed listing of post-surgical instructions. Hither are some general guidelines for a speedy recovery:
- Continue the extraction site clean. Gently rinse the expanse with an antimicrobial mouthwash 2 to three times a mean solar day. Avoid brushing straight over your extraction site until your dentist tells you information technology's rubber to do so. Castor and floss all other areas unremarkably.
- Take all medications every bit directed. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers. It'south important to take all of these medications exactly every bit directed. You tin also take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Avoid strenuous activity for at to the lowest degree two days. An elevated heart rate tin cause increased post-operative haemorrhage and discomfort. Skip the gym for the get-go 48 to 72 hours. Ask your dentist when information technology's prophylactic to resume normal routines.
Avoid hard and crunchy foods for the kickoff few days. Stock your fridge and pantry with soft foods like rice, pasta, eggs, yogurt and applesauce. Yous'll also want to avoid drinking through straws, as this can dislodge blood clots and crusade dry out sockets.
When can I go back to work or schoolhouse?
Most people are able to return to work or schoolhouse within a 24-hour interval or ii. If yous take a job that requires a lot of lifting or physical labor, you may demand to take a few more days off work.
When to Call the Doctor
When should I encounter my healthcare provider?
Whatever time yous develop a toothache or dental pain, it'south important to schedule a visit with your dentist. They tin can help determine the cause and design a personalized treatment plan.
If you've already had a molar extraction, telephone call your dentist if yous develop a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, drainage (pus) effectually the extraction site or severe pain that doesn't meliorate with medication.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It'south never fun hearing that you need to accept a tooth pulled. But sometimes, a tooth extraction is the best fashion to eliminate infection and go you back on track to a healthy smile and life. If your dentist recommends an extraction, be sure to discuss replacement options with them, besides. Dental restorations like dental implants, dental bridges or partial dentures can restore appearance, function and overall oral health.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction