Tips to Prepare for Tooth Extractions

If you’ve been told that you need tooth extractions to remove teeth that are damaged or diseased, to prepare for dental implants, or to remove wisdom teeth, you’re probably wondering what the overall experience is going to be like, and what you can do to prepare. Many of our Peoria area patients report that their tooth extractions are the first type of surgery they’ve ever had. If you are one of those patient’s, it makes sense that you’re curious about what to expect, and what you can do to make the process run more smoothly.

Our doctors at AOS are here to tell you not to worry. Not only are tooth extractions routine procedures for our doctors to perform with the proper sedation options in place, but they are also relatively painless, too.

Preparing for A Tooth Extraction

When it comes to knowing how to prepare for your Peoria tooth extractions surgery, it’s important to know exactly what type of surgery you’re having so you can properly prepare. Are you having a visible tooth removed, or tooth extractions to remove teeth that have not yet made their appearance, such as impacted wisdom teeth? Knowing may help you determine what level of sedation dentistry you’d prefer, as surgical tooth extractions can last a little longer and are more involved, especially for first-time oral surgery patients. Make sure to ask your doctor for this clarification, so you are fully educated about your upcoming procedure.

Understanding What Will Happen Before Your Tooth Extractions

Before you have tooth extractions performed at our Peoria office or any of our other locations, you’ll have x-rays taken. The type of x-rays you’ll have will depend on what reason your tooth or teeth are being removed in the first place. For a diseased tooth, a routine tooth x-ray that you normally receive at your bi-annual dental appointments may be sufficient. For removing impacted wisdom teeth, however, full panoramic x-rays may be required so that our doctors see the entirety of the internal structures of your teeth and gums that may be affected by your tooth extractions.

It’s always important that you disclose your full medical history to us. Certain Peoria patients, such as those with heart conditions or weakened immune systems, may be placed on preventative antibiotics. This medicine is used only as a precaution to prevent infections because our doctors are concerned not only with your teeth, but your overall health, too.

Prior to your procedure, you’ll have the option of selecting a sedation dentistry choice that is right for you. At AOS, we offer the following sedation dentistry options for patient’s that require tooth extractions:

  • Twilight anesthesia, which is delivered via an IV and will make you relaxed and unaware of the procedure, but still allows you to respond to our doctors and nurses.
  • General anesthesia, which is also delivered through an IV and will completely knock you out, so you are totally asleep during your oral surgery.
  • Local anesthesia, which involves receiving an injection to the surgical site to numb you before your procedure.
  • Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” which makes you feel more relaxed, and a little giggly, without putting you to sleep.

Call Us With Any Questions

If you have tooth extractions scheduled at our Peoria office and have any questions about your upcoming procedure, we want to hear from you!

Call us today at (309) 326-9207.