Tooth extractions may be carried out under different circumstances, and you are advised to consult with your dentist to know about what you can expect. The extraction itself is painless. The affected tooth is extracted using a pair of forceps. The tooth is usually removed for several reasons. Some of these reasons include overcrowding of teeth, tooth decay and wisdom teeth that may trigger pain and swelling, among several other reasons. Let’s take a look at what you should know about extractions.

Extraction procedure
Prior to the procedure, the dentist will take down all the necessary medical history that is applicable. You will need to inform the dentist of any medication like blood thinners or the presence of any allergies. The dentist will then ask you to take an x-ray in order to have a clearer picture of the problem. They may even recommend certain antibiotics that are to be taken prior to the procedure. You will be asked to refrain from smoking a day before the extraction as this leads to a dry alveolus socket. After all the bases have been covered, the doctor will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. In the event that there is a wisdom tooth removal, the dentist might need general anesthesia and the patient may have to be admitted to a hospital for a day.

There are two main types of extractions, depending on the severity of the procedure involved:

• Simple extractions
  The simple extraction is a common type of extraction and is often used in most cases. The dentist will make sure that the anesthesia has been applied and that the tooth and the surrounding area  are numb before proceeding to the extraction. The dentist will break the tissue surrounding the tooth and expand the socket that the tooth is attached to. After this, the dentist will use a pair of forceps to pry the tooth out. There might be some pressure but the patient will feel no pain. After the tooth is out, the dentist will place a bit of gauze for the patient to bite down on to stem the blood flow. Stitches may be then applied for healing.

• Surgical extractions
  Surgical intervention may be needed in certain cases when the tooth has been impacted or in cases where the tooth is too large or if the tooth has broken off at the gum line. In these cases, the dentist will usually make an incision on the gum and break the tooth into smaller pieces before extraction. If the tooth is impacted, then the dentist will rock the tooth using a pair of forceps to loosen it before pulling it out. After the surgery is complete, the dentist may stitch the gum and the stitches should dissolve upon which a blood clot will form.

Modern medicines have ensured that extractions are painless and procedures used are extremely quick and cost-effective. The doctor will provide painkillers are required and patients are advised to stay away from hard or sugary foods for some days.