Truth be told, tooth extraction is not the most pleasant experience, however, dentists prescribe this procedure when it is the only option to keep your gums and the rest of your teeth healthy. It is the only treatment for infected teeth because there are no antibiotics at the time, but nowadays, tooth decay can be treated in its early stages and preserve your teeth, dentists are not enthusiastic about removing teeth as a radical solution for patients, tooth extraction becomes necessary only in the case of an infection that causes swelling or Fever, or if the teeth are not growing properly in the usual dental arch, so extraction may be a last option in several cases, including severe damage or decay, this helps to eliminate bacteria and improves oral health in general.
Your dentist will assess and diagnose the health of your affected tooth and surrounding gums. Your dentist will also take dental x-rays to check bone levels and determine the extent of damage to the affected tooth. As we mentioned in the previous article, you should be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking, as soon as Gathering all the information that the doctor needs to draw a clear roadmap for your optimal dental treatment, he will discuss treatment and anesthesia options with you in detail.
Many doctors resort to anesthesia during tooth extraction and other dental procedures. Anesthesia is an excellent option for people who suffer from phobias and chronic anxiety about injuries to their bodies or for those who simply want to be more comfortable during the procedure. Anesthetics used in dentistry include:
- Nitrous oxide: Also known as laughing gas, it is a gas that you inhale through a custom mask that is fitted to the face through your nose. It is a good choice for people who need a light level of sedation as it is the best local anesthetic currently available. nitrous oxide from driving their cars themselves upon successful completion of the tooth extraction procedure.
- Conscious oral sedation: This type of sedation is taken orally, usually in pill form, about an hour before your dentist appointment. Common medications used for this purpose include diazepam, midazolam, triazolam, and lorazepam. Oral conscious sedation can be used alone or in combination With nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation, doses are adjusted to your specific needs depending on the doctor's diagnosis. Of course, people who choose conscious oral sedation will need a companion to drive them to and from the home before and after the procedure is completed.
- General anesthesia: This is recommended for people with severe dental anxiety or those who will have this procedure for a long time due to several problems with your teeth. Analgesics and pain-relieving medications such as midazolam and meperidine are delivered directly into the bloodstream using an IV tube. From the sedation that can be obtained in a dental office, people who choose intravenous sedation will need to make arrangements with a companion during the entire procedure.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend general anesthesia in a hospital setting, this option is usually reserved for complex cases such as facial reconstruction or corrective deep jaw surgeries.
First, local anesthesia is given to numb the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue using specialized dental tools. Your dentist will gently open your tooth and carefully raise the upper jaw to reach the angle he wants to start his work. Sometimes your dentist may need to make incisions in your gums to reach your tooth. Especially if your tooth is badly damaged or decayed or if it is broken at the gum line, and once the tooth is removed, the place of the extracted tooth is cleaned and disinfected. In some cases, the dentist may resort to making dental bone grafts, which helps prevent bone loss in the jaw. Stitching at the site of the extracted tooth to help promote faster healing.
When the procedure is successfully completed, your dentist will place a piece of gauze on the extraction site and ask you to press it firmly with your mouth. This helps slow the bleeding. Coagulation is a normal aspect of recovery. It promotes healing and reduces the risk of dry skin wrinkles. The doctor will then remove the gauze. Once the bleeding has slowed down enough, light bleeding may continue at the site of the extracted tooth for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
After tooth extraction, your dentist will provide you with a detailed list of post-operative instructions. Here are some general guidelines for a speedy recovery:
- Keep the extraction site clean: Gently rinse the area with an antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day. Avoid brushing the extraction site directly until your dentist tells you it is safe to do so. Brush and floss all other areas as normal.
- Take all medications as directed by the doctor: Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers and it is important to take all of these medications exactly as directed, you can also take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
