Tooth extractions can be painful, but your dentist will typically use local anesthesia to numb the area during the procedure. Depending on your comfort level and the complexity of the extraction, your dentist may also offer additional sedation options to help you relax. After the procedure, your dentist may recommend OTC or prescription pain medication to manage any discomfort.
Simple Extraction vs. Surgical Extraction
For simple extractions, your dentist or oral surgeon will loosen the tooth with an elevator tool and then use forceps to pull it out. If necessary, they may make an incision and remove bone to access the tooth’s root during a surgical extraction. Following the extraction, your dentist or surgeon will clean the site and may place sutures to close the wound.
Post-Procedure
After the extraction, you may experience tenderness and discomfort in the area for a few days. Your dentist may recommend self-care practices like resting, using ice packs, and eating soft foods to manage the pain. If you experience severe pain or a dry socket, which occurs when the blood clot in the extraction site is dislodged, your dentist can provide additional treatment. Overall, tooth extractions are common and typically well-managed with proper anesthesia and postoperative care.
Pain After Extraction
After tooth extraction, it’s common to experience tenderness and discomfort in the extraction site for a period of 1-3 days, although healing time varies from person to person. You may also feel tightness and stiffness in your jaw and joint due to the procedure.
However, if the pain worsens or persists around day 3, it could indicate the development of a dry socket. This occurs when the blood clot in the extraction site fails to form or is dislodged, exposing the socket walls’ bone. Fortunately, a medicated gel can be applied to the socket to cover it up, which is a typical treatment for dry socket.
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