If you’ve been told you need a tooth extraction in our Galesburg AOS office, you’re probably wondering what to expect. And we understand why. Many of our tooth extraction patients have never had any type of surgical procedure performed, and this oral surgery is their first experience going “under the knife.” Our doctors at AOS know you may be a little nervous, but we’re here to explain the procedure and help you relax.
When you are first told that you need a tooth extraction, our Galesburg doctors will give you a list of instructions so that you can prepare. These include:
- Refraining from smoking, as smoking constricts blood vessels and can complicate the oral surgery procedure and your recovery process.
- Researching and thinking about what sedation dentistry options you’ll choose.
- Arranging for transportation on the day of your tooth extraction, if you are planning to undergo twilight or general anesthesia.
You’ll also be told whether you’re having a simple tooth extraction, which means removing a tooth that is visible in the mouth, or a surgical extraction, which involves removing a tooth that has not yet erupted from underneath the gum line.
On the day of your tooth extraction procedure, you’ll arrive at our Galesburg office and check in at the front desk. Soon, you’ll be placed in your own private room where your procedure will take place. Shortly after being situated in your own room, you’ll be able to discuss with your doctor which sedation dentistry option you’ll choose:
- Local anesthesia, which is delivered via injection and completely numbs the area where your tooth is being removed so you won’t feel a thing. All Galesburg tooth extraction patients receive this type of sedation.
- Nitrous oxide, which is delivered via a mask and is often combined with local anesthesia for Galesburg patients who want to stay awake during their procedure. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, makes you relaxed and feel a little goofy, hence its nickname.
- Twilight sedation, which is delivered via an IV and makes you unaware of your procedure, but still able to respond to doctors and nurses.
- General anesthesia, which is also delivered via an IV and completely puts you to sleep.
If you choose twilight or general anesthesia and are afraid of needles, you can wait until these sedation options are administered before receiving your local anesthesia shot.
After your oral sedation options have been administered and taken effect, our Galesburg doctors will get to work. If you’re having a simple tooth extraction performed, our doctors will use dental devices to remove the tooth, or teeth, from your jawbone. If you are having surgical tooth extractions, an incision will be made in your gum line so that our dentists can gently remove the tooth from beneath your gums.
Call Us With Any Questions
Our goal before any oral surgery procedure is to ensure that our patients are fully informed about what will take place on surgery day. If, after reading this blog post, you still have questions about what to expect during a tooth removal, we want to know so we can further explain the process to you.
Call us anytime for more information about your upcoming procedure at (309) 232-8252.
