Tooth Extraction – What to Expect

“Say Ahhh!” Yeah right, it sound so easy. Like saying “Ahhh” is simply a matter of opening your mouth and forcing the air up from your lungs and through your larynx with your diaphragm. Try doing that with the dentist hovering over you with some sharp and mean-looking implement in hand. Well, actually, saying “Ahhh” is not as difficult as one might expect! Tooth extraction is not the traumatic experience it was in the past when all the dentist had at his disposal was a half-jack of brandy and some pliers (or a fast-moving vehicle and a piece of twine). Nowadays, a practice  is focused upon the comfort of the individual patient and of maintaining a high standard of oral health and hygiene. This comes as a massive relief when you consider that sometimes, tooth extraction is quite simply unavoidable!

Tooth Extraction: When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved

The enamel that protects our teeth is the hardest substance in the human body. It can withstand decades of grinding, biting, chewing and opening beer bottles. But a single accident can leave a tooth or several teeth so damaged that there remains insufficient original structure to support restorations, such as porcelain crowns. In these cases, the dentist may recommend that, subsequent to the extraction of the affected tooth or teeth, you have dental implants placed. Bacteria and decay can also attack the heart of the tooth, infecting the vital collection of nerves and vessels within the pulp chamber. Should a root canal fail to restore the health of the pearly white in question, then you are probably facing the need for tooth extraction. Then, of course, there are those troublesome wisdom teeth that can cause all sorts of problems when they emerge in your early adulthood; they too frequently require extraction.

Tooth Extraction: Letting Go
There are many reasons for tooth extraction, but the underlying philosophy is that a skilled and experienced dentist will implement all necessary measures to save or restore an infected, decayed or damaged tooth. If the troublesome pearly white poses a risk to its neighboring teeth (by being a hotspot of bacterial activity) and simply cannot be saved, then the dentist will have to pull… and you will have to let go. Thankfully, the wonders of anesthesia and a pristine and hygienic operating environment ensure that the entire experience is as painless as possible, with a minimal risk of infection. In fact, a tooth extraction is one of the simplest, most straight-forward and painless of all the procedures offered by dentists today.

A Final Note on Tooth Extraction
With the incredible advantages of modern dentistry, anesthesia and a heavy focus on patient care, a tooth extraction is no longer something to be feared and avoided. So, don’t say “AAAGGGHHHHRRR!!!” Say “Ahh”!