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What Does a Tooth Extraction Feel Like?

July 7, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — cbrdental @ 8:22 pm
Closeup of tools and tooth after tooth extraction in Charlottesville

We all want to keep our complete set of natural pearly whites for life. However, sometimes a tooth needs to be removed to protect the rest of your smile. While it’s normal to feel a bit anxious if you need a tooth extraction, modern dental technology and techniques have made this common treatment faster, easier, and more comfortable than ever. Here’s a step-by-step guide of what happens during a tooth extraction in Charlottesville, as well as what you can expect to feel.

Step 1: Numbing the Area

First and foremost, your dentist will numb the problematic tooth and the entire area around it. You may feel a quick pinch as the anesthetic is administered into the gums with a small shot. It may take a few minutes for the medication to thoroughly numb your mouth, but it should easily last all throughout your procedure.

Step 2: Loosening the Tooth

Next, your dentist will use an instrument called a dental elevator to loosen the tooth. This small device will be carefully pushed between the tooth and the surrounding bone. As the tooth is rocked back and forth and gradually lifted from its socket, you may feel some pressure, but no pain.

Step 3: Removing the Tooth

Once the tooth has been loosened with a dental elevator, your dentist will grip it with a special pair of dental forceps. Then, they will gently shift the tooth back and forth. Eventually, the tooth will break free from the surrounding connective tissues and simply slip out of place. Similar to the previous step, you may feel some strange sensations of pressure, but the anesthetics will prevent any feelings of sharp discomfort.

Step 4: Closing the Empty Space

Once the tooth has been removed, your dentist will rinse out the socket to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned. Typically, the gums will then be closed over the empty space with dissolvable stitches. Finally, your dentist will carefully place a piece of gauze over the area to help stop the bleeding. Since the anesthetic will still be in effect, you probably won’t feel any of this.

Step 5: Post Extraction Care

A few hours after your extraction, the numbing medication will wear off. You should take painkillers as prescribed or recommended by your dentist before you fully regain feeling in your mouth to help minimize any discomfort. It’s completely natural to experience some soreness, swelling, and slight bleeding for a few days after your tooth extraction. These symptoms should all be easily managed with ice packs, over-the-counter pain relievers, and rest. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy, pain-free smile!

Tooth extractions are designed to help alleviate dental pain and protect your smile. Your dentist will go above and beyond to ensure that they restore your oral health as comfortably as possible!

About the Practice

At Charlottesville Blue Ridge Dental and Crozet Blue Ridge Dental, we always do everything we can to treat patients within hours of their dental emergency. We are open seven days a week and have times reserved every day to provide last-minute urgent dental care. Our highly trained team of dentists have years of experience helping their patients overcome a wide range of oral health issues and get back to enjoying their beautiful, fully intact smile. If you or a loved one has a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us via our website or at (434) 978-1510.

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