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Winnipeg North Dental
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What it physically feels like

Tooth Extractions for Park View Residents

Sometimes the idea of the sensation troubles people more than the thought of pain. Here is a plain account of what freezing does during an extraction at our McPhillips Street clinic in Winnipeg.

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What You Will Notice: A Guide for Park View Patients

Plenty of people can accept that an extraction will not be sharply painful and still dread the feeling of it. The pushing, the odd numbness of the lip, the idea of something moving in the jaw: these are specific worries, and specific information tends to help with them more than simple reassurance.

Local anesthetic blocks sharp pain, but pressure and movement generally still come through. Understanding that difference ahead of time can stop an ordinary sensation from seeming like something has gone wrong. And before any of this, your dentist will have explained why removal is being recommended.

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An honest description

We would rather you know about pressure and movement in advance than be startled by them in the chair.

Comfort checked beforehand

Before removal begins, your numbness and comfort are confirmed, which gives you a moment to speak up.

Your voice still counts

If you feel something other than pressure, your dentist wants to hear about it at once.

Sensation, sorted

What freezing changes, and what it leaves.

A numb mouth is an unusual experience, particularly if you have not had much dental work. These lists set out what patients are typically told to anticipate.

What the anesthetic is for

It is a local anesthetic, placed to numb the area around the tooth being removed, and comfort gets checked before going further.

  • Sharp pain should not be felt during the extraction.
  • The zone being treated should feel numb before work starts.
  • If numbing seems incomplete, say so before removal goes on.
  • Mention past trouble with freezing during your history review.

What you may still be aware of

Awareness is not the same as pain. Your sense of pressure often remains, because the tooth is being moved within the bone.

  • A firm pushing feeling as the tooth is loosened.
  • Some movement in the jaw while your dentist works.
  • A thick or unfamiliar feeling in the numbed area.
  • A brief sense of something changing as the tooth is lifted free.

For some teeth, a surgical approach with a small incision or sectioning is needed. Ask what that would mean for what you notice during the procedure.

Moment to moment

The appointment, told from the chair.

Here is the sequence from the patient’s side, with the sensations alongside each step. The details may be somewhat different for your tooth.

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  1. 01

    Sitting down and talking

    Nothing is done yet. You and your dentist go over your health, medications, allergies and X-rays, and this is the time to describe what you find unsettling.

  2. 02

    The numb feeling arrives

    After the anesthetic has been given, the area begins to feel different. Your dentist then checks that you are comfortable before proceeding.

  3. 03

    Pressure, then release

    As the tooth is loosened and removed, expect a sense of firm pressure and movement. Should you feel anything sharp, let your dentist know immediately.

  4. 04

    Gauze to bite on

    With the tooth out, the area is cleaned and bleeding is controlled using gauze or sutures. You also receive written instructions, which you can read once things have settled.

Getting your mind ready

Say exactly which part bothers you.

Feeling uneasy about needles, the sound of the procedure or the numbness are all different problems. If you can put your finger on the part you dread, your dentist has something real to talk with you about.

You could raise these worries when you book, and ask at the same time how long the visit is likely to run.

Put these into words

  • The one part of the extraction you least want to think about.
  • Whether you would like each step described, or would rather not hear it.
  • Any previous experience with freezing, good or bad.
  • Your current medications and any known allergies.
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On your terms

Some people want every detail. Others want none.

There is no correct way to get through this. Some patients like a running commentary and others prefer silence, and letting your dentist know which you favour is a simple way to feel more in control.

Commentary or quiet

Ask to be told what is happening as it goes along, or ask for only the information you truly need.

Ask about a signal

You will not be able to speak easily during removal, so ask how you can signal that you need your dentist to stop.

Look at the plan first

If seeing the X-ray helps it feel less mysterious, ask to go over it before the appointment gets underway.

As the numbness fades

New sensations, and which ones matter.

Once the freezing wears off, your mouth will have a fresh set of signals. Some soreness, swelling and minor oozing can occur. Your written instructions cover how to handle discomfort, as recovery depends on your procedure and your health.

01

The empty space

Your tongue will probably find the socket quickly. Try to leave it undisturbed, because the clot forming there helps protect the area during early healing.

02

Lingering numbness

Numbness or any other symptom beyond the course that was explained to you should be reported to the clinic by phone.

03

Taste and texture

A worsening bad taste is one to call about, along with drainage, fever or increasing swelling. Stick with soft food that is not hot in the meantime.

Difficulty breathing or swallowing is different from these: go for emergency medical care.

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Winnipeg North Dental

Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6
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When you feel ready

Care for Park View Residents on McPhillips Street

If you live in Park View, your assessment and any extraction will be at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6.

Asking through the form does not lock in an appointment. You will hear back from the clinic to agree on a time, and you can also dial (204) 338-3003.

Questions about coverage?

Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.

A little clarity before your visit

Your questions, answered.

Helpful details about tooth extractions in Park View.

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Why will I feel pressure if I am frozen?

The anesthetic works to prevent sharp pain, while your sense of pressure and movement often stays. That is why those sensations are considered normal, as long as nothing feels sharp.

How can I tell pressure from pain during the procedure?

Pressure tends to be dull and broad, while pain is sharper. If you are unsure which you are feeling, treat it as worth mentioning, and tell your dentist straight away.

What if the sound of it bothers me?

Bring that up during the conversation before treatment. It is a common concern, and you can talk with your dentist about what might make that part easier for you.

I hate the feeling of a numb lip. Is there any way around it?

Numbness is part of how local anesthetic keeps you comfortable, so it is usually unavoidable. You can ask what to expect for your tooth, and how you can look after yourself while it lasts.

Will I see the tooth once it is out?

If you would rather not, say so before the procedure starts. Some people are curious and some are not, and either preference is fine to mention ahead of time.

Is it normal to feel shaky or emotional afterward?

Having a tooth removed can be a lot to take in, and it is fine to take a moment. Tell the clinic if you feel unwell, and describe any symptoms that concern you.

What is the first step for a Park View resident?

Use the form on this page or call (204) 338-3003 to request an assessment. If you have an urgent concern, it is better to phone, and you can mention any worries about sensations at that time.

Talk before you decide

Tell us which part worries you.

Request an assessment at our McPhillips Street clinic in Winnipeg and we will be in touch about a time.

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