How Painful is Surgical Extraction?
You might hear the words tooth extraction and are anxious and even frightened, without even hearing the word surgical. It is a quite frequent and common response to this treatment. Every dentist will always do their best to save a tooth, but sometimes there is just too much damage to repair it, and an extraction will be necessary in the best interest of your dental health. Usually, most teeth are easy to remove with a simple extraction, but sometimes it may require a more invasive approach. Why is this necessary and is a surgical extraction painful?
What is a Surgical Extraction
There are two methods for your dentist to remove a tooth if needed. These are:
- A simple extraction.
- A surgical extraction.
A surgical extraction is slightly more involved and means that surgical access is necessary. This is because the tooth is not visible and accessible, broken off, under the gumline, or if it has long, or multiple curved roots. Surgical extractions most often includes wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth quite often present a problem, because of the lack of space they will either erupt at an angle or get stuck and become impacted which then requires a surgical extraction. Your dentist makes a small incision in your gum to access the tooth, and this could even include sectioning the tooth into several pieces, making it easier to manipulate and remove each part with less force. The incision is then closed with sutures. Your dentist will determine with a simple exam whether a tooth will be a simple extraction or need a surgical approach.
Does the Surgical Extraction Hurt?
In spite of what you might have heard, there is no pain involved. Having a tooth extracted, whether it be simple or surgical, will not hurt. You might feel a slight pinch as the immediate area is numbed with a local anesthetic, and after that you will not feel the procedure. Your dentist will always probe the area and surrounding gums before beginning the procedure to make sure you have no sensation and are completely numb. Once the surgical extraction actually begins you could feel some slight pressure and a pulling sensation, but other than this, you should not feel any pain.
What Happens After the Extraction?
Whether you have had a simple or a surgical tooth extraction, you need to follow the post-extraction instructions to avoid any unnecessary complications. Your dental team will advise you of these after your treatment. The main points are:
- Do not brush the sutured area, allowing for healing.
- Avoid any vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours.
- Give yourself gentle salt mouth washes, starting 24 hours after surgery.
- Do not smoke or participate in any strenuous activity.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever for any discomfort.
A tooth extraction is a common procedure and nothing to worry about. Once you have healed, your dentist will discuss your options to close the gap for a healthy appearance and normal function. Prevention is always better than any cure. Continue with your daily oral hygiene habits at home and compliment your efforts with a dental check-up every six months.