

The local anesthetics that dentists use to “numb up” teeth are effective in inhibiting nerve fibers that transmit pain but not those that relay pressure sensations. Then yes, after the tooth is good and loose, the dentist will “pull” the tooth on out.Ĭ) What you’ll feel during your extraction. What they want is for the force they create to be directed more so toward the root of the tooth, which will tend to act as a pivot location for the expansion of the socket’s walls (see picture above). They know that just pulling out won’t work because at this point the tooth’s ligament is still mostly attached, and its socket hasn’t been expanded enough yet. Instead, when a dentist uses their forceps, at least initially, they don’t so much pull out on the tooth as push in. As compared to the use of elevators, most teeth are ultimately taken out via the use of forceps.įYI – You might be surprised to learn that dentists don’t really “pull” teeth. This twisting action helps to rip and tear the tooth away from the ligament that binds it in place.Īt some point, the socket will be enlarged enough, and the ligament torn away enough, that the tooth can be easily removed. In addition to this rocking motion, the dentist will also rotate the tooth back and forth. As it does, the range of the dentist’s side-to-side motions will increase. They may use quite a bit of force as they do this but it will be controlled and deliberate.īecause the bone that surrounds the roots of a tooth is compressible, this action will gradually expand the size of the tooth’s socket. right side of the jaw).Ī dentist will grasp a tooth with their forceps and then slowly yet firmly rock it back and forth (side-to-side) as much as it will. The location of the tooth in the mouth (such as front vs.For example, the design will vary depending on whether it is 1, 2 or 3 rooted. The tooth’s root configuration will also play a role (the dentist wants to be able to firmly grasp and apply pressure low down on the tooth). The general shape of the tooth it’s intended to remove, like large or small, or rounded or flat profile.Is it possible?Ī dentist will usually have a number of different ones on hand, each having a design that’s tailored to: We discuss the idea of a DIY extraction approach more fully here. We anticipate that for most people, their inability to fully anesthetize (numb up) their tooth would be their biggest obstacle in attempting to perform an extraction by themselves. Here’s more details about how a dentist tests for numbness before pulling a tooth What to expect. The idea is that you should feel the pressure of this activity (that’s normal during an extraction, see below) but there should be no sharp pain.įYI: They’re not just testing, they’re also using this step to start to peel away (loosen and detach) the gum tissue from around your tooth.Īs a second test, your dentist may use their fingers and push firmly on your tooth from side to side, just to make sure that that kind of pressure doesn’t bother your tooth either. They’re taking their dentist’s attention away from the process at hand, and instead making them focus on the management of their patient.įYI – As a test for numbness, a dentist will usually begin the extraction procedure by taking a semi-sharp dental instrument (often an elevator, see below) and pressing it on the gum tissue immediately surrounding your tooth. Patients who moan, flinch and squirm at every routine, non-issue sound or sensation are simply making their procedure more difficult and drawn out. Patient cooperation makes all of the difference. The contribution you have to offer is cooperation. The process of pulling your tooth is more likely to go quickly and uneventfully if you, as the patient, contribute toward it. The more you know about tooth extractions, the easier yours will be. As added information, it also describes the routine sounds and sensations (both pain and non-pain related) that you’ll have the potential to experience as your procedure is performed.It explains the purpose of each of the steps of the procedure and how the dentist uses their instruments when performing them.This page contains an outline of the process that a dentist uses when they extract a tooth for a patient.
