Tooth extraction is perhaps more commonly known by the term “getting your teeth pulled.” In this procedure, the dentist removes one or more teeth from the patient’s mouth for good. Most of these procedures are performed while the patient is awake but under the influence of a local anesthetic so that they do not feel any pain.
There are several reasons why your dentist might consider extracting a tooth. A few of these reasons are:
If the tooth that is to be extracted has already erupted (emerged from the gum line), the extraction process is relatively easy. First, the dentist will use a tool called an elevator to loosen the tooth from its position, and then forceps will be used to pull the tooth out of the mouth.
In cases where the tooth in question either has not yet erupted and become fully visible or has been broken off while still lodged inside the gum, the dentist must cut into the patient’s gum in order to extract the tooth.
In the vast majority of cases, the patient is fully awake for the tooth extraction procedure, though they are usually numbed using a local anesthetic. Some patients experience extreme anxiety when undergoing dental procedures or have hyperactive gag reflexes. These patients are sometimes “put to sleep,” or are fully sedated using general anesthesia.
Your dentist will evaluate your situation prior to performing an extraction and will recommend the best way to complete the procedure.
Here are the basics of recovering from a tooth extraction:
