After x-rays have visually confirmed the situation under the surface, we will begin with the administration of a local anesthetic. Sedation may also be recommended for your procedure. During conscious sedation, your consciousness will be depressed for the duration of the procedure, increasing your state of relaxation, reducing anxiety, and creating a slight amnesic effect. Because of the intensity of the effects of a sedation, you will not be allowed to drive following the procedure, so make sure to have someone available to take you home.

Once you are properly numb or sedated, East Columbus Periodontic and Implant Dentistry will begin removing the wisdom tooth with either a simple extraction or a surgical approach.

• Simple Procedure- Using a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding areas, we will loosen your tooth and pull it out easily using a hand tool called an elevator. This procedure is used when the tooth that needs to be extracted has erupted well above the gum line for easy access. We will use dental tools to loosen the tooth and lift it up and out of the gum line for a clean extraction.
• Surgical Procedure- A surgical extraction is a slightly more complicated procedure as it requires us to cut into the gum line to retrieve the tooth. This is usually necessary during an impacted wisdom tooth extraction or if a tooth is broken well below the gum line. A local anesthetic will minimize the discomfort felt during these types of extractions.

Once the tooth has been removed and the anesthesia has worn off, you will be allowed to leave with a responsible adult to monitor you. We may prescribe pain medication if necessary, but if possible, it is best to stick with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

It is a good idea to plan on staying with a soft food diet following your procedure, slowly introducing harder foods as you begin to heal.