3 Things to Know About Tooth Extractions

Extractions are one of the more common procedures in the dental profession, even if it may feel like you’re the only one. Despite this, having a tooth pulled can be unsettling for even the most prepared of people. If you want to go in with a little less fear and a lot more resolve, we’ll look at a few basic facts so that you can get it over with.

There Are Different Types of Extractions

This procedure isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you have an impacted tooth that has failed to erupt from the gumline, you’ll need a surgical extraction. Most other types of tooth will be a simple extraction, meaning you’ll only need local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia.

You Should Be Honest with Your Dentist

While this is a relatively simple procedure, you’ll still want to be upfront with your dentist in Indianapolis, IN. If you have any type of health history, such as cancer or diabetes, it’s important to answer questions as thoroughly as possible. Even taking certain supplements or over-the-counter medications may result in adverse reactions.

Tooth Extractions in Indianapolis Are Safe

In general, tooth extractions in Indianapolis, IN, are fast, simple, and effective. Once the anesthesia starts to wear off, you can usually manage the pain with ice and Tylenol. The exception would be surgical impactions, typically for wisdom teeth. You may need a few extra days of downtime if you have a surgical extraction. The best thing you can do is monitor your own progress. If the pain worsens or you start running a fever, you may have an infection.

If you’re looking for a team to help you with an extraction, contact Indiana Emergency Dental for fast appointments and quality services.

Extractions 101: Common Patient Questions

Learning you need a tooth extraction in Indianapolis, IN, can be a little scary, and you will have questions. Look at a few of the most common things patients want about tooth extractions.

How Do You Know a Tooth Needs to Be Extracted?

Tooth extractions are reserved for only the direst situations. In most cases, the dentist will do all they can to preserve the natural tooth. However, there are situations when pulling the tooth is best for a patient’s oral health. A tooth may be extracted when it has extensively decayed or damaged, there is significant underlying bone loss, or it is crowding other teeth.

How Bad Does an Extraction Hurt?

With the right dentist, tooth extraction can be a painless experience. The dentist will use local anesthetic to desensitize all the nerves surrounding the tooth so you don’t feel anything during the procedure. You may have some tenderness after the procedure, but this is minimal and can be remedied with over-the-counter pain medicine.

How Long Does It Take for the Extraction Site to Heal?

The time it takes for the extraction site to heal does vary by patient. The extraction site will close up within a few days with a clotted collection of red blood cells, and then the healing process begins. Generally, the site will mostly heal within a few weeks, but the tissue can still be a bit delicate.

Discuss Tooth Extraction with an Indianapolis Dentist

While having a tooth pulled is not usually something a patient looks forward to, working with a skilled dentist in Indianapolis, IN, can make all the difference. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we go to great lengths to keep patients comfortable the entire time. Reach out to schedule an appointment if you have a problematic tooth that needs to be extracted.

How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Last?

Getting a tooth extracted is undoubtedly a difficult procedure for many people. The good news is that the experience of an extraction is typically a lot easier than whatever you imagine it to be. We’ll look at how long it will take and what you can expect from the rest of your time in the chair (and beyond).

How Long Will It Last?

You can expect a single tooth extraction in Indianapolis, IN to last as little as 20 minutes, though it may take closer to 40 minutes. If you’re having more than one tooth extracted, you can expect to stay a few minutes longer per tooth. Teeth extractions are done while you’re under anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain. This doesn’t mean that you won’t feel the pressure of the pull. At some points, you may even feel more pressure than you expected, but this doesn’t mean that the procedure has gone wrong.

When you’re at the dentist, the first step is applying local anesthesia before the tooth is pulled. From there, the dentist will usually use gauze in the empty socket to stop the bleeding or they may need to use stitches. You can eat anything soft after the procedure, including smoothies, cool soups, applesauce, and scrambled eggs. Floss and brush after the procedure normally, but avoid the extraction area.

Dentists in Indianapolis, IN

If you have questions about a tooth extraction, including what you can expect if you want to replace it with a denture or implant, visiting the right dentist in Indianapolis, IN can make a big difference. At Indiana Emergency Dental, our staff can help you nail down a treatment plan, so you can get back to your regularly scheduled life (and diet).