At an appointment for a tooth extraction, expect to get numb, feel some pressure, get some instructions, and go home! Tooth extractions can be nerve-wracking for patients, but they are routine procedures that dentists do day in and day out.
Why a Tooth Might Need to Come Out
A tooth with decay causing a severe toothache may need to come out if there is not enough tooth left to restore. Even when there is enough tooth left to restore, some patients choose extraction because tooth extraction cost is lower than the cost to fix the tooth. Emergency tooth extraction is very common in our office, and we are glad to help patients in severe pain get out of pain whether they opt to save the tooth or to get it pulled.
Teeth can develop cracks that extend all the way to the tip of the root, a condition known as a vertical root fracture. When that happens, the tooth will need to be removed.
Teeth with severe gum disease may also need to come out. Sometimes gum disease can be treated, but there comes a point that treatment is hopeless, and a tooth must be removed if the tissues are to be restored to good health.
A common cause for wisdom tooth extraction is a condition called acute pericoronitis, which is the clinical term for inflamed tissue around the tooth. Most of us have poor access to our wisdom teeth, so cleaning them well can be difficult or impossible, even with our best efforts. We often recommend extraction when a patient presents with acute pericoronitis of a wisdom tooth.
Signs You Might Need an Extraction
- A severe toothache
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- A tooth that is loose due to severe gum disease
- Impacted wisdom teeth causing pain or pressure
- An abscess, swelling, or pus in the gum around a tooth
What Happens During the Procedure
The tooth extraction process is fairly straightforward. Your blood pressure will be taken, then medicine to numb your tooth will be given. A consent form reviewing the risks will be read and signed, and instructions will be given for tooth extraction aftercare. We will cover what to expect during the procedure: pressure is normal, hearing a sound such as a crack or a snap is normal, but pain is not normal. If you ever feel pain or need a break, just give the signal (in our office, raising your left hand), and we will pause the procedure. We will make sure you are profoundly numb and comfortable before we continue.
Healing After Your Extraction
Tooth extraction healing is fast for the soft tissue and slow for the hard tissue. It will be normal to have sore gums for a few days. Most patients are feeling close to normal after 3 days, and the vast majority of patients will be free of post-op gum pain within a week. Except in rare cases, the gum will be healed over the site within 2 weeks. The bone – the extraction site – will heal and remodel over the next 6 months to a year. Some bone will recede, some will fill in, and typically at about 6 months the area will have healed fully. It’s best to stick to soft foods the first 24 hours, then eat harder foods as you can tolerate them. It’s best to avoid smoking, spitting, and sucking through a straw for the first 72 hours following an extraction – this will help avoid dry socket, one of the most common complications.
Getting Back to Normal
If you plan to replace the tooth with a partial denture or a bridge, you are usually ready to follow up and begin that process after 8 weeks of healing. If you plan to replace the tooth with an implant, and you didn’t get the implant placed the same day as your extraction, you are usually ready to follow up and begin that process 3-4 months after your extraction.
FAQ
Q: What’s the time frame for tooth extraction recovery?
A: Your gums will be sore for 2-3 days, your soft tissue will heal over in 1-2 weeks, and your bone will remodel over 6-12 months.
Q: How long does tooth extraction take?
A: Your appointment can last from an hour to an hour and a half, but the tooth extraction itself will typically take between 3 minutes and 30 minutes.
Q: Is pain normal after a tooth extraction?
A: Yes, to a degree. Sore gums are normal. Sometimes surrounding tissues and/or the jaw joint can be sore from the procedure. This pain should, however, be improving after the 48 hour mark. If after 2 days have passed, you are not the same or better each day, call your dentist and go in for a post-op!
