Getting Dental Implants? Know What To Expect For The Tooth Extraction Process

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Do you have a tooth that needs to be pulled so that you can put a dental implant in its place? If so, you'll definitely want to know more about how the procedure is done. Having proper expectations can make you feel more at ease about the first step toward getting dental implants.

The Local Anesthetic 

Your dentist will want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible, which is done by applying a local anesthetic to the area that the tooth will be pulled from. This is done by injecting the local anesthetic into the gums to make them feel numb. You will feel the sensation of the needle going into your gums, but the anesthetic works quickly to numb the area. 

The Dental Sedation

If you are really nervous about the procedure, it's possible that your dentist will offer you some sort of dental sedation. Nitrous oxide is very safe to use and wears off quickly once the gas is no longer administered, which makes it safe to drive home on your own afterward. If you have a lot of teeth that need to be pulled for dental implants, twilight sedation can be used so that you are not awake during the procedure.

The Tooth Extraction

Your dentist will use forceps to extract the tooth from your gums. If the tooth is already loose due to gum disease, the process of removing the tooth may be straightforward and quick. One thing to keep in mind is that rear molars take more time to extract than front teeth. This is because those rear molars have two roots, making them more difficult to remove. Front teeth have a single root, which makes the process easier. 

It's normal to feel pressure during the extraction, but you shouldn't feel pain. If you do feel pain, let your dentist know so that they can reapply more of the local anesthetic. 

The Dental Implant Insertion

It's possible that your dentist will insert the titanium post right after the tooth is extracted. However, this is only the case when you have enough density remaining in your jawbone to accept the implant. You may have to return to the dentist to get a bone graft to strengthen the area for the dental implant.

The Post-Care Instructions

It is common to place gauze in your mouth to stop bleeding from the extraction site. Your dentist will give you further instructions on how to care for the extraction site when you are at home, which includes how to reduce swelling and how often to replace the gauze.

For more information, contact a company such as High Point Smile Dentistry.


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