While preserving your natural teeth as much as possible is always better, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. There are so many reasons why your dentist at Irving VCare may recommend an extraction: It could be due to tooth infection, tooth decay, or crowding. Extractions may also be necessary if you get braces; removing one or two teeth allows for other teeth to shift into the right position. Generally, tooth extraction is a simple and quick outpatient procedure performed by your dentist or oral surgeon. The procedure might be complex if the tooth is broken or impacted.
What happens before a tooth extraction?
Before scheduling the procedure, your dentist takes x-ray images of your tooth to examine its condition. Your dentist may ask about your medication, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. If you are soon treated for another medical condition with an intravenous drug called bisphosphonate, the extraction should be done before your treatment to avoid osteonecrosis (bone death).
Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, congenital heart defect, hypertension, thyroid disease, an artificial joint, adrenal disease, renal disease, an impaired immune system, liver disease, or a history of bacterial endocarditis. The above conditions need to be stable or treated before tooth extraction. In the days leading up to the procedure, your dentist might prescribe antibiotics if your surgery will take too long, you have an infection, a weakened immune system, or a specific medical condition. Before a tooth extraction, it is important to know the following to ensure quality treatment.
Wear short-sleeved short or loose-fitted clothing if you will receive intravenous sedation. You also want to avoid eating or drinking for six to eight hours before your appointment. Avoid smoking and inform your dentist if you have a cold, as you may need to postpone treatment. Inform your dentist if you have had new symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting the night before. If you are receiving general anesthesia, arrange for someone to drive you home and check on you for the rest of the day.
What to expect during a tooth extraction
Your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Using an elevator instrument, the dentist carefully removes your tooth and uses forceps to lift it from its socket.
If the tooth is impacted, the dentist might need to make small incisions into your gum. Before the procedure, you will receive both local anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia; the latter makes you calm and at ease throughout the procedure. Once the tooth is out, the dentist cleans and disinfects the socket and may place a bone graft to prevent loss. After the incisions are closed, you will have gauze placed over the extraction site so that a blood clot can form. After an extraction, your mouth will be swollen but you can apply an ice pack to subside the swelling. As the anesthesia wears off, you may begin to feel some pain but pain relievers like ibuprofen may help.
If you have further questions about tooth extraction, consult your provider at V Care America Inc.