Will I be comfortable during my tooth extraction?

When facing a surgical tooth extraction, such as wisdom teeth removal, many patients are concerned about discomfort that they may experience during the procedure. This fear can be driven by previous negative dental treatment experiences or just from stories they’ve heard from others.

Fortunately, your oral surgeon can use several strategies to minimize discomfort while you are having your wisdom teeth removed. We will also work closely with you to reduce your risks of any post-operative complications that could cause discomfort.

Strategies for Optimizing Patient Comfort During Tooth Extraction

We primarily use two strategies to reduce discomfort during the tooth extraction procedure.

• Local anesthesia: Numbing agents are injected at the extraction site to eliminate sensation in the immediate area during the procedure.
• Sedation: Medications that have an anti-anxiety effect are administered to help a patient relax during the tooth extraction.

Different options are available for local anesthetic and sedation, and your oral surgeon will advise you of the various types so that you can choose the one that is the best fit for you.

Keep in mind that some types of sedation, such as oral sedation or IV sedation, may require some preparation in advance of your appointment. We will give you any pertinent instructions, such as fasting for a period of time or obtaining a prescription medication prior to your scheduled procedure.

Post-Operative Care to Prevent Complications That Cause Discomfort

In addition to being comfortable during your tooth extraction, you also want to take care afterward to avoid potentially painful complications, such as dry sockets and infection. We will give you detailed written instructions, but here are a few ways that you can care for the extraction site.

• Don’t use drinking straws after tooth extraction.
• Avoid smoking after tooth extraction.
• Clean the extraction site as directed.

Drinking straws can contribute to painful dry sockets, which develop when the protective blood clot either fails to form or is dislodged prematurely.

Keeping the extraction site clean cuts down on your chances of developing an infection, and abstaining from smoking can reduce inflammation that can interfere with healing.

To learn more about the steps we take to keep our patients as comfortable as possible during and after a tooth extraction, call our office and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members.