Surgical Extraction and Anesthesia

Surgical tooth extraction involves the removal of an impacted tooth. When a tooth is impacted, it remains below the gum tissue and sometimes, within the jawbone. As with any dental procedure, anesthesia is administered to prevent the patient from feeling any pain or discomfort during treatment.

What types of anesthesia are available for a surgical extraction?

There are several types of anesthesia available for dental work; the type that your doctor chooses to use for a surgical extraction will be determined case-by-case. The most common anesthesia used for dental work including extraction is local anesthetic which is administered via injection directly to the area being worked on. Other types of anesthesia include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, or general anesthesia. Let's take a closer look at each type of anesthesia to help you understand what your options will be.

Oral sedation is administered in pill form for the patient to take 20 to 30 minutes before a procedure. It is utilized to help the patient feel more relaxed and calm during the procedure. Oral sedation is very beneficial to patients who have anxiety or other medical conditions that prevent them from holding still during treatment and is used in conjunction with local anesthesia. Patient who take oral sedation will need to have a friend or family member drive them home after their procedure.

Local anesthesia is used for all dental work and is administered via injection directly to the area being treated. Typically, a numbing agent is applied to the soft tissue before the injection is given to minimize the feel of the pinch of the needle when it is inserted into the gum tissue. Local anesthesia numbs the entire area, allowing the doctor to work without causing pain to the patient. You may still feel movement such as pulling or tugging during an extraction but there should not be any pain. Local anesthesia is safe and effective with little risk of complication and has a quick recovery time.

Nitrous oxide is another type of anesthesia and is commonly known as laughing gas. Nitrous works like an oral sedation in that it helps you feel relaxed during your procedure but will recover from the effects more rapidly than from oral sedation. You will still need a local anesthetic to numb the area, the nitrous is simply a gas that is inhaled but does not put you to sleep.

General anesthesia is reserved for patients that need to be completely asleep for their procedure. This is often used for patients with conditions that make it impossible for them to hold still, even with oral sedation. Very young patients or those with muscular conditions often benefit from being put to sleep so that the doctor can work quickly and safely.

The type of anesthesia that your dentist chooses to use will largely depend on the complexity of your extraction as well as your overall health and any underlying conditions. Your doctor will discuss all of the options available and will select the type of anesthesia best suited for your individual case.

What is the Difference Between Simple & Surgical Extraction?