Tooth Extraction: Mythbusting
It’s common knowledge that most people don’t like going to the dentist, and one of the most feared reasons is to get a tooth pulled. Historically, pulling teeth was a difficult and painful procedure. However, thanks to modern medicine and better numbing agents, getting a tooth removed is no longer the nightmare it once was.
The procedure to remove a tooth depends on a couple of factors, mainly where the tooth is located and what condition it’s in. A non-erupted will have a different procedure from a severely decayed incisor or canine.
The Process
The majority of tooth extractions are routine, believe it or not. It’s true some take longer and require more steps (like wisdom teeth removal), but most tooth extractions are straightforward. Before the actual extraction begins, most dentists will take an x-ray of the tooth/jaw (this may happen in the previous appointment). Our dentist will:
- Numb the tooth and surrounding area
- Loosen the tooth and widen the socket
- Use forceps to carefully remove the tooth
- Rinse out the empty socket with a saline solution
- To flush out any remaining tooth tissue or bone fragments
- Ensure a blood clot is forming to prevent dry socket
- Dry socket is a painful condition where the nerves are vulnerable to bacteria and other irritants.
Alternate Tooth Removal Reasons
There are other reasons why someone would have their teeth pulled outside of general tooth decay and gum disease. For example, someone preparing for orthodontic treatment like getting braces may need a tooth removed.
Also, someone going through chemotherapy/radiation therapy may have . You may experience other oral problems depending on your specific treatment plan and how your body reacts. Be sure to let your doctor and dentist know what you’re feeling.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the more common and well-known reasons for tooth extraction. Your wisdom teeth are your third and last molars, the backmost teeth, that erupt in your late teens to early twenties. However, they don’t erupt for some people and some don’t have to have them removed at all. But for those that do, here’s a brief overview of the removal process:
- The extraction site is numbed
- If the tooth isn’t already exposed, an incision in the gums is made to reveal it, and the surrounding bone
- Any bone covering the tooth root is then removed
- The tooth is extracted
- The area is cleaned to clear any lingering bone/tooth tissue
- If you need stitches, they’ll happen now after the cleaning
- But not everyone necessarily needs stitches
- Gauze are inserted into the open socket and/or over top of it to soak up some of the blood and aid in clotting
Schedule an Appointment
Is one of your teeth bothering you? Whether it’s a wisdom tooth or another tooth, the experienced dentists of Robinson Dental can help relieve your oral pain and discomfort. To schedule an appointment, call (888) 932-8669.
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