If your dentist has recommended tooth extraction, you may be worried. However, an extraction is a common procedure that many Americans deal with at least once. If you would like to know more, keep reading to see what to expect during a tooth extraction.

Sedation

Many people are nervous about getting a tooth pulled. For this reason, it is common for dentists to provide some form of sedation. The most basic is nitrous oxide. While you breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, your body becomes relaxed, and your mind calms.

There are other forms of sedation, such as oral and IV sedation, but the advantage to nitrous oxide is that it leaves your body fast. Once you stop inhaling the nitrous oxide, it quickly begins leaving your body. After a few moments, you'll be fine to drive. With other forms of sedation, you'll need a ride because you will be too sedated to drive.

Tooth Removal

Whether you choose sedation or not, the area will then be numbed, and once the area is fully numb, the dentist can start removing the tooth. For a simple extraction, the dentist simply uses a few tools to loosen and lift the tooth.

However, surgical extraction may be required in some instances. This is more common in teeth that have not fully emerged from the gumline, but your dentist may recommend a surgical extraction if the tooth is severely damaged or the tooth roots are particularly long. During surgical extraction, the tooth may need to be broken up before the dentist can remove the pieces.  

Tooth Replacement

Your dentist may ask you about tooth replacement options. If you want a dental implant, the dentist may start the process by adding synthetic or cadaver bone after removing the tooth. This will prevent the area from atrophying while it heals so it will be strong enough to support the future implant.

If you have no interest in a dental implant, there are other options. Most people will choose a bridge. The downside of a bridge is that it must use other teeth to support it. This puts extra wear on these teeth. If you do choose a bridge, your dentist will wait until the area fully heals to start the process.

Healing

The healing process for a simple extraction and surgical extraction is the same. The main difference is that you will have stitches after a surgical extraction. However, the stitches usually absorb into your body once they are no longer needed.

The main rule of healing is to protect the blood clot where the tooth was. After the tooth is pulled, blood fills the area to start the healing process. Eventually, this blood clot becomes gum tissue, but in the meantime, it serves as protection. If you lose the blood clot by sucking too hard on something, the hole and bone become painfully exposed.  

Getting a tooth pulled is never fun, but it doesn't have to be a scary process. Luckily, if you do have to have a tooth pulled, there are replacement options. If you would like to know more, or if you are finally ready to get that tooth puled, contact a dentist in your area today.