How Long Should Getting a Tooth Pulled (an Extraction) Take?
Getting a tooth pulled, also known as a tooth extraction, may not be anyone’s idea of a fun time, but it can sometimes be necessary to keep you and your teeth healthy. But how long does a tooth extraction take? Bellaire Modern Dental in Houston will walk you through what to expect from the different variations on tooth extractions, and their different timelines.
Simple Extractions
Most tooth extractions are simple procedures that last between 5-15 minutes per tooth, depending on the experience of the doctor. The first step is to numb the area around the tooth with local anesthetic. To ensure there is no discomfort, sedation or general anesthesia can be administered (your practitioner will need a special license or permit to sedate or put you to sleep). Then, once the anesthetic has taken effect, the dentist or oral surgeon will loosen the tooth in the socket, raise it using a tool called an “elevator,” and then use dental forceps to fully remove it. Pulling a tooth in this way is most effective when the tooth is already loose and if any damage is minor. Bone graft and membrane can be placed in the area if there is a plan for an implant at a later date.
Surgical Extractions
More complicated situations may require surgical extractions, which also usually take about 5-15 minutes per tooth, though it varies depending on the complexity of the case. These procedures usually occur when the tooth has not emerged from the gum line, the tooth is impacted — meaning it has grown in sideways or at an extreme angle, or there is severe decay or abscess. The main difference is that surgical extraction typically involves making an incision in the gums to reach the tooth. Bone grafting could be potentially placed after this type of extraction as well, depending on the future plan for that area.
Additional Factors that Affect Tooth Extraction Duration
The type of extraction is not the only factor that determines how long your procedure will take. The general condition of the tooth — if it is particularly damaged or brittle, for example — can make the extraction take longer, as will the number of teeth being pulled. Your overall health can also contribute to the time needed, as gum disease or bone density will need to be taken into account by your oral surgeon or dentist.
Recovery Time
When getting your teeth pulled, you should also consider the recovery time so you can be fully prepared. For the first 24 hours after your procedure, you can expect to be sore and potentially experiencing swelling. These can be controlled with over the counter pain medication and an ice pack — without applying pressure — and only eating cool, soft foods. Mild swelling should go down within 24 hours, while more severe swelling could peak at day three or four and then start to dissipate. Minor bleeding should come to a stop within a few hours, but it may take up to 48 hours, or longer after a surgical extraction. By the one-to-two week mark after a standard extraction, you should be feeling back to normal.
Remove & Replace
If you are concerned that you need a tooth pulled, speak to your dentist or an oral surgeon at Bellaire Modern Dental sooner rather than later to prevent any damage from getting worse. And remember that you don’t have to worry about the cosmetics of missing a tooth — Bellaire offers multiple options for replacing teeth, including dental implants. Come by or give us a call to learn more.
