Before tooth extraction has to be done, the patient is usually undergoing a thorough dental examination. Your dentist must know not just your full medical history but your dental history as well. It is very important to avoid any health risk issues like heart problems or any allergies from antibiotics or anesthetic.
Toothache is one of the most painful things you can experience. Once your tooth is severely damaged, the only solution it can get is tooth removal. You may visit your dentist for this procedure.
For simple tooth extraction
Most of us are afraid of extracting our teeth and our dentists are aware of this, so they will give you local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the gums before removing your tooth. Dental sedation is also recommended for patient with dental anxiety to feel more relaxed.
A simple tooth removal can be done with the extraction forceps without fracturing. To loosen the tooth, the dentist moves it back and forth from the socket. If the tooth is hard to loose, the instrument called 'elevator or' luxatar 'is usually used to break the periodontal tissues from the jawbone to where it is attached. The tooth can be pulled out with the forceps once it is already loosened.
For surgical tooth extraction
This procedure is usually done with following instances.
- When teeth do not have enough tooth structure left and is impossible for the extraction tools to forgive anything.
- Teeth with curved roots
- Impacted teeth – these are the teeth that have not impressed above the gum line.
In this method, the tooth has to be cut into small pieces to do the tooth extraction. After that, the tooth socket is carefully clean so that no puss or debris will be left.
Suturing or stitching is needed. Most of today's scholars are using the dissolvable thread so you do not need to come back to them for removal of stitches.
For multiple tooth extracts
In case several or most of your teeth must be removed, general anesthesia may be used. This is much stronger than the local one and it makes you sleep during the entire process.
Most of the patients prefer to have multiple tooth removal done at once to save time for dental visits and to experience the discomfort just once. Another reason is for preparation of full denture replacement.
Not everyone is capable of this procedure. Your medical condition must be perfect to end the stress of multiple tooth extracts.
Blood clot formation from the tooth socket is very significant for healing process. Your dentist will require you to bite down wet cotton gauze for about 30 minutes or more for blood clot formation. Be careful not to enter any food debris and other irritants to the empty tooth socket to protect it from bacteria and not to cause any infection.
Things to do after tooth extracts procedure
- Do not lie down – lying down immediately after the extraction may cause bleeding. Use extra pillows so you keep your head elevated.
- Protect the extraction site – chew on the other side of mouth for at least 24 hours. Soft diet is necessary and you must avoid placing your finger into your wound just to check it out. Wash your hand thoroughly before changing the gauze.
- Do not smoke
- When you brush your teeth, avoid the area near the extraction for 24 hours or until your wound is totally healed.
- Do not rinse at the first day. You can do gentle rinsing after second day using mild antiseptic rinses.
- Avoid strenuous physical activities for the first 3 to 5 days for it may cause unnecessary bleeding.
Following your dentist's instruction is the safe way for immediate tooth extraction healing. This is not a simple matter to be taken for granted for it may cause serious health problems when complications occurred.