Dental Tooth Extraction Treatment
Saving the teeth for your best health outcome is our number one priority. Sometimes, this last choice is opted for when there is absolutely no other form of treatment that can be performed to save the tooth or the patient electively chooses to have the tooth removed as part of the treatment above other alternatives.
From poor restorability of the tooth, high mobility, orthodontic spacing issues to trauma, and many more, there can be many reasons when Extraction is chosen above other treatments. The treatment variable time and cost as well as type makes it an even more patient-centric process.
What Are Extractions?
Dental Extraction can be one of the most unpredictable procedures in dentistry and many times may not be the initial plan before the start of the procedure. Although, as your dental health care providers, Local Dental guarantees to thoroughly explain how the tooth will be removed, once the decision for its non-requirement and in the patients best interest.
Therein, a dentist takes your verbal and written consent for the extraction of the tooth/teeth. As soon as this is underway, the dentist anesthetizes the patient for a tooth removal. Its achievement ensures that the dentist can be ready to use special instruments to start elevating the tooth. After the desired elevation is reached, the dentist will then use specially designed dental forceps to deliver the tooth from its bony socket. The socket is then pressed with a piece of sterile gauze to achieve Haemostasis (stopping of the bleeding). Sometimes, sutures may be needed to attain the same.
Looking to know more about Tooth Extraction treatment?
Ask our friendly dentists here at the Local Dental Clinic for a consultation and professional assessment.
FAQ's
Post-operation/removal after care instruction with Local Dental will help one in undergoing a recovery that is trouble free. However, a few facts about the extraction can go a long way into convincing the patient of its absolute necessity or willing accommodation.
Are there different types of extractions?
There are usually three types of extractions that take place. Foremost there is simple/conventional extraction when the tooth is removed with simple elevation technique. Under sectional extraction, the teeth/tooth is multirooted and its roots are separated first and then removed separately. Lastly, one can opt for a surgical extraction, when the teeth/tooth is removed with some combination of lifting of the gum, sectioning the roots, and cutting of the bone.
It is to be noted that there are three different levels of ‘Surgical Extraction’ and all of which take different approaches and time for the removal of the tooth.
Does this process hurt?
Like every other dental procedure, once the patient is anesthetized, there is no pain during tooth extraction. You do feel the push/pressure/tug sensation while your dentist is trying to elevate the tooth. It is common after extraction to experience slight pain and take up to two weeks to heal. If you are experiencing pain and it does not subside when taking pain relief, feel free to contact Local Dental.
Will the pain subside eventually?
After extraction, the site usually is sore for a few days. If it is well-cared for, it may not turn into a dry socket and the discomfort keeps getting better over the period of next 3-7 days. If you still experience a difficult extraction and are expiring pain/ swelling, take over-the-counter medication such as Nurofen to help reduce any pain and inflammation.
How much does a tooth extraction cost?
Different extractions cost differently because of the time taken and type involved. Your dentist and Local Dental will let you know the range for the cost before the extraction is started as part of the written consent.
How long will I be numb?
Dental numbness usually lasts anywhere between 2-6 hours, depending upon how much anesthesia was used and the type of anesthesia.
How many types of anesthesia are there?
Each tooth has a different nerve supply and may need a different way of anesthesia. There are two main types of anesthesia:
- Nerve Block for when the anesthetic liquid is injected directly at the main branch of the nerve to numb the bigger area with deep anesthesia.
- Infiltration for when the anesthetic liquid is injected at the end branches of the nerve directly around the tooth in the gum to numb the smaller area.
What if I do not want my tooth/teeth to be extracted?
One of the alternatives for removal is a Root Canal Treatment. But it is only if your tooth/teeth are infected and can be treated via the same. If this procedure cannot be performed and the tooth/teeth causes some other issue, then there are no alternatives to extraction.
What are the common instructions that need to be followed post an extraction?
These after-care instructions will allow a blood clot to form and allow the healing to occur. Firstly, the patient is advised to keep biting on the gauze for 20 minutes after the removal. If it is still bleeding, the dentist will provide you with a new gauze to take home, which you must roll up and bite on with pressure for another 20 minutes. A towel-wrapped ice pack can also be applied to the affected side.
One should eat soft foods for the next 24 hours and do not engage in any strenuous activities. Also, drinking through a straw, consuming alcohol, smoking as well rinsing and swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for the next 48 hours. Specifically, on the third day after the extraction, start doing warm salt water rinses, two times a day.
