Simple Extraction Steps
Now that you know the tooth that has been causing you problems needs to be removed to help keep the rest of your teeth and mouth healthy, you have to start thinking about what a simple extraction actually means. In short, the dentist will remove the tooth during an appointment and your body will need about a week to make significant progress in healing. In order to help manage anxiety and clear any confusion, most dental extractions follow the same path. Here are the exact steps that you can plan on taking when a simple dental extraction is one of the treatment plan options:
1. Pre-Procedure Assessment
Before the dentist asks you to open your mouth and removes the tooth, the dentist will need to assess the damaged tooth and the surrounding area. The exam may include an x-ray to see the state and location of the tooth below the gum as well as what is above the gum. The dentist will review your medical history with you to ensure that you will be able to heal well and avoid infection. Once the dentist has confirmed that you are healthy enough for the procedure, the tooth is not able to be repaired by any other means, and that the removal of the tooth will not damage any other structures, like blood vessels or nerves, in your jaw.
2. Administering Local Anesthetic
Now that you are assessed and at the extraction appointment, the dentist will administer anesthesia locally to the area they will be working in your mouth. The dentist will inject the solution in the gums close to the damaged tooth. The anesthesia will take away the pain but you will most likely feel pressure when the dentist is performing the extraction.
3. Loosening the Tooth
You are fully numb in a specific area in your mouth, but not your whole mouth, so the dentist will be able to start the procedure. Using tools, the dentist will move the gum away from your tooth and start to rock it back and forth. As the tooth rocks, the socket gets wider, the ligaments loosen, and the roots start to separate from the jaw bone.
4. Extracting the Tooth
As the dentist is rocking the tooth with their tool, they will be able to see when it is loose enough to remove with forceps. You will feel pressure as the dentist removes the tooth, but you will not feel pain. If you find that you are anxious about this part of the process, be sure to talk to the dentist before the procedure.
5. Post-Extraction Care
Your unhealthy tooth is out of your mouth and the dentist will clean the area to help prevent infection and to encourage a good start to the healing process. The dentist may need to rinse debris from the area or place some stitches at the site. Not everyone will need stitches, and you can talk to the dentist before the procedure to see if you will need them.
6. Aftercare Instructions
The dentist will give you special instructions for your specific extraction. Be sure to follow each instruction carefully and you can avoid complications.
7. Follow-Up Appointment (If Needed)
Depending on your individual treatment plan, the dentist may want to see how your healing is progressing after the extraction so you may need to schedule an additional appointment for monitoring.