If you feel pain in your tooth, experience discomfort, or have visibly damaged your tooth, it’s important to visit your dentist. If the issue is bad enough, they may determine a simple extraction is required.
Below is helpful information about the simple extraction process, what leads to an extraction, whether it is painful or not, and more.
Simple Tooth Extraction Steps
The first step when it comes to a simple tooth extraction procedure is visiting your dentist for an examination as soon as you notice any signs of damage to the tooth, pain, or discomfort. Your dentist will take a look at your tooth, jawbone, and gums to determine the underlying issue. From there, they will put together a treatment plan. Should they decide a tooth extraction is necessary, an appointment will be set for the simple extraction procedure.
The procedure itself involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the area. From there, your dentist will release the periodontal ligament fibers that suspend the tooth from the socket. Next, the tooth will be loosened and elevated. Finally, foregrips will be used to remove the tooth from the mouth.
After the procedure, your dentist will apply pressure to the socket and will likely provide you with gauze to minimize the bleeding. Before you head home, you will be given aftercare instructions that should be followed exactly to ensure proper healing of the area and to prevent any complications.
What Are the Reasons for a Simple Extraction?
There are a few reasons for a simple extraction. These include:
- Infection
- Impacted tooth
- Severe tooth decay
- Gum disease that leads to bone loss
- Injury
The Healing Process
You should expect the healing process of a simple extraction procedure to take anywhere from a couple of days to over a week. If it takes longer than that you should reach out to your dentist.
In order to ensure the healing process goes smoothly, follow any aftercare instructions exactly. Also:
- Don’t eat solid foods for 24 hours.
- Don’t use tobacco products for 48-72 hours.
- Don’t use straws for 48-72 hours.
- Don’t brush your teeth for 24 hours.
If you experience any complications, reach out to your dentist immediately.
Does It Hurt?
The simple extraction process is generally considered “pain-free.” With that said, after the extraction there is some pain and discomfort that is expected. In order to alleviate this pain, your dentist may recommend taking over-the-counter medication or they may prescribe you pain medication. Make sure you take any medication prescribed by your dentist as intended.
Reach Out Today
If your dentist has determined a tooth extraction is necessary, reach out today to set your appointment. We’ll schedule a time for your dentist to remove the tooth. If you have any questions about the procedure, feel free to ask. We’d be happy to provide you with all of the information you need.
We look forward to meeting your oral healthcare needs.