How to Prepare for Surgical Tooth Extraction
No one ever gets excited when they think of tooth extraction. But if our oral surgeon recommends it, that’s the only way out. A tooth extraction is a common dental procedure our dentist performs to remove a whole or damaged tooth.
Always remember that our dentist takes no joy in extracting teeth. However, if you have alignment issues, tooth decay or your tooth is damaged because of trauma, tooth extractions in Canton, OH, are inevitable. A tooth can be extracted even before it erupts if it is impacted.
Whichever the reason, undergoing a tooth extraction can be a stressful experience. But if you are well prepared for the procedure on time, you will have a much better experience. So, this is how you can prepare yourself.
Always Ask Questions
Our dentist will examine your teeth when you come to our office to determine whether tooth extraction is best. Additionally, the examination is critical since it helps our dentist decide on the type of extraction. You must capitalize and ask our dentist questions during your initial appointment.
So, before you set foot in our dental clinic, have a set of questions since there is no better time for you to learn about the basics of tooth extraction than during your initial appointment.
No question will be deemed foolish, so don’t hesitate to ask. We’d love to know your concerns and questions since this information will help our dental team tailor-make your treatment to suit your needs. Remember, it’s your body, so you have the right to know and approve what will be done to you.
Disclose Your Medical History
Sharing your medical history with our dentist in Canton, OH is a vital step during the initial stages of the preparation. Do not leave any details out. Some of the things you need to disclose are:
- Liver disease
- History of bacterial endocarditis
- Congenital heart defect
- Impaired immune system
- Artificial joint replacements
- Any mechanical or bio heart valves
If you are taking any medications, you will need to prepare a list of all the medications, even if they are herbal supplements. The medication list will help our dentist know if drug interactions can complicate the procedure or cause undesired side effects.
If you have a blood clotting issue and need blood thinners, you should temporarily stop taking them before the extraction. The reason is blood thinners will prolong the bleeding during and after the procedure, which can complicate the whole process. Also, the healing process begins with clotting, so if there is prolonged bleeding, your healing will take much longer.
Discuss With Our Dentist About Anesthesia and Painkillers
A surgical extraction has to be done under local anesthesia or sedation. It is a necessary part of the procedure to ensure that you are comfortable. Therefore, you must discuss with your dentist the substances that will numb you and deal with the pain.
If you have ever undergone sedation and know what works for you, then you can let our dentist know your experience and determine whether there will be a need for an alternative method. All we want is for you to have a comfortable and pain-free procedure.
You will receive painkillers that will help ease the pain after the procedure. It would be best to let our dentist know.
Don’t Eat Before the Surgical Extraction
It is recommended that you don’t eat anything about 12 hours before the surgical extraction. Fasting is necessary since it aids in nausea management that comes with anesthesia. If you have diabetes or any other condition that doesn’t allow you to stay long hours without food, inform our oral surgeon near you.
Organize Transport and Care
Since the effects of anesthesia don’t wear out immediately, you will need someone else to take you home. Anesthesia will affect your reflexes even though you received local anesthesia. So, chat with a family member or friend and ask them to take you back home after the procedure.
Insurance
You need to know how much surgical extraction costs and if your insurance will cover the cost. You don’t want to deal with the insurance and other unexpected bills after the procedure is complete.
Now that you know how to prepare for surgical tooth extractions near you, contact our dentist at Danner Dental to schedule an appointment.