Most people don’t like to think about tooth extractions. Losing a tooth can be daunting, but in many cases, it is the best step to preserve or enhance oral health.
At APlus Dental, your Chelsea Heights dentist near me can help you with emergency tooth extraction, orthodontic extractions, or surgical or wisdom tooth extractions.
In this article, we'll explain the steps involved in having a tooth pulled from start to finish and some essential dos and don’ts to remember.
Why Your Dentist May Recommend an Extraction
After examining your mouth and doing some tests, your dentist will explain your treatment options. When extraction is suggested—or is your only option—they'll explain why and talk to you about tooth replacement options like a dental implant or bridge.
Reasons your tooth may need extraction:
- After a break or injury, insufficient tooth structure is left to support a dental filling or crown.
- Due to periodontal disease, insufficient healthy bone support or ligament structure is left to hold the tooth securely.
- The tooth has a substantial crack or vertical fracture.
- Root canal treatment has failed.
- The tooth is impacted and won't erupt into position, or there's no space for it. This is common with wisdom teeth.
- There's no opposing tooth, so you aren't using this tooth for chewing. When there's no tooth in the opposite arch (jaw) to bite against, the tooth will tend to over-erupt and may traumatise soft tissues.
- Orthodontic extractions. Your orthodontist or dentist may recommend removing teeth as part of your treatment plan. This will not be noticeable as your orthodontic therapy brings your teeth in line.
Our team at APlus have experience with both standard and surgical extractions. We can also refer you to a specialist or our sister clinic, Dental Vision, when specialised skills or general anaesthetics are required.
Extra Nervous? Have You Considered Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)?
Dental treatment can be challenging for some people to deal with. It's natural for some to feel nervous. So, if you're afraid you can't cope, what can you do to make your dental treatment more comfortable?
Firstly, bring someone or something to help you relax and find comfort. For example, your mum or BFF, a stuffed toy, a stress ball to squeeze or some music to listen to during the treatment.
We have screens on the ceiling so you can watch something to take your mind off the extraction.
If you feel this won't be enough to help you cope, treatment at one of our other clinics may be worth considering.
Our colleagues at Dental Vision in Narre Warren offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for dental treatment. This gas can help you relax and has no lasting impact after your treatment.
Preparing for Your Visit: Tooth Extraction Costs and What You Can Do Before Seeing Us
The cost of an extraction ranges from $200-$500 per tooth, depending on the difficulty of the procedure. If you have private dental insurance, the amount you'll be out of pocket depends on your provider and coverage.
APlus Dental is a preferred provider for Bupa, Medibank Private and HCF. If you've been referred through a community dental clinic, you must bring your voucher and pay the current copayment fee.
Aside from being aware of the costs and your options, we recommend you avoid smoking for 24-48 hours before your extraction and have a healthy meal before coming in. These steps help reduce your chances of getting a dry socket after your extraction and support your body in coping with stress.
What Are the Steps of a Dental Extraction?
Want to know more about what to expect when you have your extraction?
The experience will be different for different people, but will usually follow these steps:
- You'll settle in the dental chair and confirm the treatment with your dentist.
- You’ll sign a consent form outlining some possible complications. Although they are unlikely to occur, it's essential to make you aware of them.
- We apply a topical anaesthetic gel to make the local anaesthetic injection more comfortable. Then, you'll be numbed. Don't worry; we'll make sure you're nice and numb.
- The dentist will start loosening the tooth. It's not unusual for this to take some time.
- The dentist will wiggle it out with forceps once the tooth is loosened from its supporting ligaments. Sometimes, the assistant may support your head or jaw to stop excessive movement.
- If the tooth breaks or we are unable to move the tooth, we may need to use other techniques, such as sectioning the tooth into pieces or taking a surgical approach.
If you've had a surgical extraction, the dentist will place some stitches for you. With a straightforward extraction, you'll bite on some gauze to apply pressure to the socket. Sometimes, the dentist may use a saline rinse to cleanse any infection or place the medication in the socket to assist with clotting.
How Long Does It Take to Recover after My Dental Extraction?
Healing time varies depending on your general health and the difficulty of the extraction. Recovery will take anywhere from two days to two weeks. At your extraction visit, your dentist will discuss aftercare and provide you with written instructions. Our team at APlus will phone you the following day to see if you have any concerns.
Have You Heard of Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a painful condition in which the clotting process fails. This failure of healing is most common in patients who smoke. Your dentist can place medication in the socket to help ease discomfort and assist with healing. Antibiotics aren't needed for dry socket, as it's not an infection.
Don't Put up with pain!
Putting off dental treatment might mean you have fewer options and more complicated treatment as existing problems worsen. If you have a toothache or damaged tooth, we encourage you to book an appointment today with your emergency dentist in Chelsea Heights to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.