What Happens During a Tooth Extraction Procedure? 6 Things You Should Know

Over the past 20 years, advances in dental techniques have reduced the need for tooth extractions. With improvements in filling material, veneers, porcelain crowns, and root canal procedures, dentists now save more natural teeth than possible. In addition, modern orthodontic technology often allows dentists to reposition and align teeth without extractions.

Sometimes, a tooth becomes too damaged by infection to salvage with a root canal. Cavities, cracks, or periodontitis can allow bacteria to enter the tooth’s pulp, where the infection decays the nerves and blood vessels responsible for maintaining tooth health. Dr. Robert Evelyn and his team of Ocala Smiles in Ocala, FL, perform an infected tooth extraction when the tooth cannot be saved.

6 Things That Dentists Do When Performing a Simple Tooth Extraction

1. Ensures the Patient is Comfortable
   Local anesthesia is applied to the gums surrounding the tooth to be extracted. This numbing agent lasts several hours and prevents the patient from experiencing pain. 
2. Loosens the Tooth Before Extraction
   Dr. Evelyn may use a dental tool called an elevator to separate the tooth from the gums before applying a tooth extraction technique. For teeth that are not already loose, the elevator reduces the amount of extraction pressure placed on the tooth, making it easier to remove the tooth and its root from the gums.
3. The Extraction Process
   Once the tooth is mobile, Dr. Evelyn uses dental forceps to deliver the tooth. The direction in which the dentist maneuvers the forceps depends on the tooth’s root structure and position. Sometimes, a dentist may need to enlarge the socket or segment the tooth for a more manageable extraction.
4. Prepare the Empty Socket for Gauze Placement
   After cleansing the socket with a sterile saline solution and removing tissue fragments, the dentist inserts gauze in the socket and asks the patient to bite down on it for a few minutes. Biting down on gauze stops bleeding and encourages clot formation. Extraction of impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth may require putting one or two stitches into the socket.
5. Provide the Patient With Post-Extraction Instructions
   Dr. Evelyn will explain how to replace the gauze until the bleeding stops. You can place ice packs to help with inflammation/bruising. Avoid spitting or rinsing your mouth for 24 hours. This could dislodge the blood clot that formed in the socket. Take acetaminophen only for pain if needed. 
6. Explaining Restoration Procedures
   Dental implants and bridges are popular options for replacing missing teeth. Dentists discuss these options and others during a patient’s follow-up appointment after a tooth extraction. Follow-up appointments are essential for determining if the socket is healing properly and if no other treatments are needed.

Please call 352-867-7181 for more information about tooth extraction or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evelyn and his team at Ocala Smiles.

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