A tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure performed by an oral surgeon. The procedure safely removes a damaged tooth to improve a patient’s oral health.
Whether you can drive after getting a tooth extraction depends on the type of anesthesia you received during your procedure. If you receive only a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide, you can drive yourself home immediately after your appointment. If you have conscious oral sedation or any type of IV sedation, you must wait until the next day to drive or operate machinery.
Why Tooth Extractions May be Necessary
While dental practitioners try to save natural teeth when possible, sometimes a tooth extraction is more beneficial for a patient’s oral health.
Situations where a patient may require a tooth extraction include:
- Decay so severe that the tooth cannot support a crown
- Infection that may spread to adjacent teeth
- Make way for orthodontic work
- Wisdom tooth (third molar) extraction
- Impacted tooth causing infection, discomfort, or damage to neighboring teeth
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
While many patients feel uneasy about tooth extractions, oral surgeons perform the procedures with the utmost concern for their comfort.
Before your procedure begins, your oral surgeon will provide appropriate local anesthesia. You can also choose from a number of comfort options, including nitrous oxide and IV sedation.
A dental tool called an elevator gently loosens the tooth. Next, the oral surgeon uses forceps to remove the tooth from the socket. During some procedures, the doctor will suture your gums closed to promote healing.
Extracting an impacted tooth or a wisdom tooth may be more involved and require removing a small amount of gum and bone tissue to reach the affected tooth. Most of our patients who need surgical extractions opt for IV sedation.
Recovery From a Tooth Extraction
Recovery from a simple tooth extraction is generally smooth and straightforward. A beneficial blood clot forms in your socket to protect the underlying bone and control bleeding. Avoiding using straws or smoking during the first 24 hours will keep your blood clot in place and promote healing.
Minor swelling and bruising are expected in the days following your procedure. You may also experience discomfort after your tooth extraction that you can manage with over-the-counter pain medication. Always follow your oral surgeon’s post-procedure instructions to maximize successful healing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Extraction
How long after tooth extraction can I eat a regular diet?
Stay with a liquid diet for 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, gradually add soft foods like ice cream, pudding, and soft scrambled eggs. As your healing progresses, add firmer foods.
Will I need to take antibiotics after my tooth extraction?
Most patients do not need them unless an infection develops. Signs of an infection include discharge from the surgical site, fever, chills, and unusual swelling.
Call Upper West Side Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
A tooth extraction can improve your oral health and make way for a restoration like a bridge or implant. To learn more, please call our Upper West Side office at 212-466-6984 or book an appointment online.