How to prepare for a tooth Extraction Surgery
How to prepare for a tooth Extraction Surgery
Modern medicine provides several solutions for fixing damaged or unhealthy teeth. However, in some situations the best fix is to undergo an extraction. Your dentist may suggest you undergo tooth extraction if maybe you suffer from severe dental trauma, are having alignment issues, to prepare for an orthodontic procedure, to make room for dentures or just to get rid of wisdom teeth. Except for wisdom tooth removal, an extraction is only suggested when all other treatment options don not seem effective or promising.
Simple Extraction and Surgical Extraction
A tooth can be extracted through a simple procedure where the dentist loosens the teeth with an elevator, and then picks it out with forceps. This is however done where the tooth is visible. For broken or brittle teeth, a dentist may have to perform a surgical extraction. A small cut is usually made onto the gum to ensure all parts of the targeted tooth are removed. To ensure that a surgical extraction goes well, here are some tips on how to prepare.
Understand the Pre-Surgery Care
Before you can have your tooth extracted via surgery, your dentist will need to perform some pre-surgery care. This is usually important as it helps the dentist create a surgery plan, knowing what risks are along the way. You may need to have an x-ray done to assess the internal structure of the teeth and gums to determine extent of damage. Your doctor may also request for your full medical history. It is vital that you provide a true and updated medical history to ensure all precautions are taken. Some pre-existing medical conditions may mean that you need special attention before during and even after the surgery.
Know What to Expect During the Surgery
Since the dentist is the professional here, it may seem unnecessary to learn of what will be happening in the surgery room. However, by being informed on what to expect, you will be calm all through the procedure. To begin with, it may help to know the sedation options you have. In most dental procedures, local anesthesia is used, although nitrous oxide, general and twilight anesthesia are also available. If you want to be relaxed and unawares but still able to respond throughout the procedure, twilight anesthesia I recommended. For a complete knock-out you can choose general anesthesia while nitrous oxide just keeps you calm but awake.
It may also be helpful to learn of everything that will be going on around you during the surgery. Will there be a cut made? Where will the cut be made? Do you get stitches? Will there be pain, swelling or tenderness? Although a good dentist will always engage you all through the procedure if you are wake, learning of these things prior to surgery gives you a feeling of control and helps avoid panicking.
Post-Surgery Care
After you have had a tooth removed, the next step is healing. To ensure that you heal properly without any complications, find out from your dentists what you need to do. For most people, a tooth extraction will feel better after a few days of surgery. Immediately after surgery you can request for ice packs to apply on the cheek. This will help reduce any swelling. In case you have been prescribed any medications, usually pain-killers and antibiotics, make sure to take them and get plenty of rest.
In the first 24 hours it will be difficult to feed on solid foods. So instead go for fluids and soft foods like purees, yoghurt and soup. If you smoke you may need to avoid doing so until you are fully recovered. Also, make sure to continue with basic hygiene practices like brushing and flossing while avoiding the area of extraction.
Cost of Procedure
Let your dentist break down all the details of the surgery and approximate how much it will cost you, including the post-surgery care. You may also need to find out if your insurance will cover the treatment or if you may need to cover for the expenses single-handedly. The more extensive the damage to your teeth, probably the more complex the extraction surgery and the more you are likely to pay.
If after an extraction surgery you notice that the pain and swelling are intensifying instead of going down, it could be a sign of an infection and you need to visit dentist at Mass Bay Dental immediately. Presence of pus and fevers are also warning signs you need to watch out for.