This three-part article series explains why tooth extractions are sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from this straightforward surgical procedure.
Welcome to the second installment of our three-part article series on tooth extractions, why they’re sometimes necessary and what New Jersey residents can anticipate for the experience. In our previous article post, we spoke to a panel of dental implants surgeons in Rutherford about why teeth extractions are sometimes recommended. The reasons discussed ranged from tooth decay and gum disease to orthodontic problems and problematic wisdom teeth. What was consistent was the preventative nature of such a procedure.
“Extracting teeth is done to prevent more complex oral and dental problems from developing; problems that are more painful and more expensive to fix further down the line,” explain the Rutherford dental implants surgeons. “Removing an impacted wisdom tooth prevents damage to the second molars and possible overcrowding of the dental arch if there isn’t enough space. Removing a decayed tooth can prevent painful abscesses from developing and it can prevent the spread of infection.”
Now, the question is... how are tooth extractions done?
Can you explain to us how you extract a problematic tooth? And what can you do to prevent a patient from feeling anything at all?
“Before we even pick up a tool, we rub a topical anesthetic cream onto the gums where we intend to inject the numbing medication. The former prevents the latter from being painful and the latter prevents the procedure from being painful,” explains the dentist in New Jersey. “This way, patients typically have absolutely nothing to be afraid of… not even the needle used to administer anesthetic.”
“If you’re only having one or two teeth removed then we will begin the procedure from this point. If, however, you are having several or even all of your teeth removed – as is frequently the case with patients who present with advanced gum disease, then we may administer I.V. anesthesia to sedate you,” explain the dental implants surgeons in Rutherford. “This will make the patient ‘sleep’ and wake up when everything is already over. A general anesthetic may also be necessary for patients who have impacted wisdom teeth that haven’t, or aren’t able to erupt from the gums.”
Isn’t there a lot of blood? What do you do to calm the nerves of particularly anxious patients?
“Pulling a problematic tooth often provides relief to patients who have been enduring the pain and sensitivity associated with a decayed tooth or impacted third (wisdom) molar for months. Oftentimes, all patients really need to know is that they’re doing the right thing by having a damaged/diseased tooth extracted and that they are going to feel a lot better once it’s done,” explains the dentist in New Jersey.
“As for bleeding, it may be moderate at first, but by applying pressure to the area via a moist gauze pad immediately after extraction, it can be slowed or even stopped within a few minutes to hours. In some cases, we may stitch up the tooth socket or, if the patient is having a tooth replaced, we may continue with the dental implant procedure. If patients continue to experience bleeding for more than 24 hours after surgery, we encourage them to contact us immediately.”
Stay Tuned for Part 3
Stay tuned for the third installment of this three-part article series on tooth extractions, why they’re sometimes necessary and what patients can expect from the experience.
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