Tooth extraction is a relatively simple surgery routinely performed in almost every dental office. But how long does tooth extraction take? Please read our article to learn about the procedure and recovery process.
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Take?
The procedure of tooth extraction can take 20 to 60 minutes per tooth, depending on the location of the tooth and the difficulty of the surgery. For example, if an impacted wisdom tooth (a tooth that is completely covered with gum tissue) is being removed, the surgery might take more time compared to when a fully erupted tooth is extracted. Also, if you need to undergo such tests as a scan or an X-ray before the procedure, it will likely take around 30 minutes in addition to the procedure of extraction itself.
The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic before the procedure. It typically takes about 5 minutes for the anesthetic to take effect.
- If a patient requires sedation, it is administered prior to the procedure as well. Some sedation options, for example, oral sedation, will require additional time to take effect—typically, about 60 minutes.
- If the tooth is hidden underneath the gum line, your doctor will make an incision in the gum to access it. Otherwise, if the tooth is on the surface, your doctor will begin the procedure with the separation of the gum tissue from the tooth to allow for less traumatic extraction.
- In many cases, the extraction itself might take only a couple of minutes. In others, when the location or position of the tooth is more challenging, the extraction might take longer.
- Once the tooth is pulled out, your dentist will apply stitches if necessary.
- At the end of the procedure, your doctor will place a piece of sterile gauze on the wound to control bleeding.
- Once the procedure is complete, you will receive recommendations regarding the post-surgery care routine and medication you should take.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
As previously mentioned, patients typically take a local anesthetic before tooth extraction. Modern anesthetics are effective at blocking the pain completely. Thus, most patients do not report experiencing any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
You might feel slight pain that resembles a sting or a pinch when the anesthetic is being administered via injection into your gum. However, the injection is very quick, and the unpleasant sensation will go away soon.
How Long Does Recovery Take After Tooth Extraction?
Recovery after tooth extraction typically takes seven to 10 days. Depending on the complexity of the surgery, the recovery can take up to two weeks. Symptoms you can expect during the recovery period include:
- In the first 8 to 10 hours after extraction, you might experience minor bleeding, but it should not last longer than that. If the bleeding continues beyond this point or intensifies, consult your doctor.
- Several hours after the procedure, a blood clot should form in the socket (that is when the bleeding should stop). This clot is an essential part of healing, and you need to be careful not to disturb it; otherwise, the healing process will be much longer and can cause significant discomfort.
- Once the anesthetic wears off (it can take up to 6 hours), you will most likely start experiencing soreness or pain at the surgery site. The intensity of the pain depends on the location of the tooth and how complicated the surgery is. Typically, the pain lasts for 3 to 4 days and then goes away gradually. In the majority of cases, you can manage this with over-the-counter painkillers.
- In the first 3 to 4 days, you might also experience facial swelling near the surgery site. We recommend applying cold compresses to the area to reduce the swelling.
To make your tooth extraction recovery more comfortable and quick, we recommend following these tips:
- Abstain from sport and other strenuous activities for 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
- Opt out of consuming alcohol and nicotine until the surgery site is healed, as these substances slow down regeneration.
- Switch to a liquid diet for the first 2 days after the extraction, and then adhere to a soft diet for the next 4 to 6 days. Take care not to chew on the extraction side of the mouth.
- Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infections, but be very careful when cleaning around the surgery site so as not to disturb the blood clot. Also, do not swish the water in your mouth.
Make an Appointment at Tropic Dental Care
Sign up for a safe and stress-free tooth extraction with a reliable dentist at the Tropic Dental Care office today. We look forward to your visit.
