Tooth extraction, or getting a tooth removed, is sometimes necessary for the benefit of your oral health. Teeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons, such as an infection, tooth decay, fracture, or to make more space in a small mouth. You may need to have one or more teeth extracted in preparation for dental implants.
Whatever the reason for your upcoming tooth extraction, you may be wondering if you will be able to drive yourself home afterwards. The biggest factor in this matter is the type of anesthesia you have during your extraction procedure. Here’s what you need to know about anesthesia and driving.
What is Anesthesia?
Anesthesia refers to medicine used to reduce sensation. There are many different forms of anesthesia that all work in different ways to make procedures more comfortable. Anesthesia can prevent pain in procedures where the patient is conscious. It can also put patients in various states of unconsciousness when necessary.
Types of Anesthesia Used for Tooth Extractions
- Local anesthesia. Most tooth extractions can be done with the use of local anesthesia. This is an injectable medication that numbs the nerves in a specific location so that the patient will not feel any pain when a tooth is being extracted. Local anesthesia can make your lip, cheek, and face feel numb for a while until it wears off.
- Nitrous oxide. For a mild level of sedation, nitrous oxide can be used along with local anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is a gas delivered through a mask worn over your nose. It provides a calming sensation that helps you feel relaxed and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off in just a few minutes of breathing regular room air.
- Oral sedation. An oral sedative can be prescribed for you to take prior to your tooth extraction procedure. Once it takes effect you should feel more relaxed and possibly a sleepy, but you will be conscious throughout the extraction procedure. An oral sedative can take a several hours to wear off.
- IV sedation. For a deeper level of sedation, an IV can be placed to deliver medication directly into your vein. You are technically conscious, yet mostly unaware of your surroundings. It may feel like being asleep. The effects of IV sedation can take hours to wear off and may leave you feeling sleepy for the remainder of the day.
Which Anesthesia Options Allow Me to Drive Afterwards?
If it is necessary for you to be able to drive yourself home after your tooth extraction procedure, you will need to rely on local anesthesia with or without nitrous oxide. Local anesthesia does not affect your ability to drive as it only numbs the nerves in the area where it is applied. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, allowing you to drive and resume your regular daily activities afterwards.
If you take an oral sedative or have IV sedation, you will need someone you trust to drive you home and preferably to stay with you until the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. These medications affect your awareness and slow reaction times, making it unsafe for you to drive while they are still in your system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Extraction
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Recovery time depends on a variety of factors from your own personal healing time to the type of anesthesia you have. It is usually best to rest for the remainder of the day following your tooth extraction. Then eat a soft diet until your mouth has had time to heal. This could be anywhere from a few days to a week or more.
Will I need stitches for a tooth extraction?
In some cases a few stitches may be used to close the gum tissue after a tooth extraction. They are typically self-dissolving and will fall out on their own as the tissue heals.
Contact Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry
If you have questions about a tooth extraction or simply have other general questions about oral health, contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.