Tooth Extraction

In the days of the Old West, dentists were only used for problems with teeth.  Oral hygiene and regular maintenance of the teeth were just not the goals at that time.  This is probably the leading cause of the fear of dentists.  A trip to the dentist was usually going to be painful due to the lack of anesthesia and the crude instruments available to them at the time. 

There was no way to save damaged teeth, so the only option was to pull them.  With the lack of anesthesia, the term “like pulling teeth” became a popular saying that is still used to this day. 

With modern dentistry and the advancements in anesthetic options, pulling teeth (extractions) is not a horrible experience anymore.  For someone who has never had a tooth pulled, the fear of the unknown is probably the worst part.  If this is your first time, be assured that it is not a cause for dread. 

The area around the tooth to be pulled is numbed with an injection of anesthetic.  A numbing gel is applied to the gums where the injection is inserted which reduces the pinching sensation caused by the injection. 

If any discomfort is felt during the procedure, more anesthesia is administered to keep the patient from feeling any pain.