Tooth Extraction
What Causes a Tooth or Teeth to be Extracted?
Pulling out your tooth is a sensitive dental issue and must be properly analyzed by your dentist before proceeding. A tooth extraction procedure is determined by your dentist, mostly for these reasons:
- The tooth has been severely decayed or has been broken beyond repair.
- Preparation for implants, dentures, braces, and other orthodontic treatments.
- Abscessed teeth.
- Gum disease.
- Baby teeth that haven’t fallen out in time for the permanent teeth to come in.
- When wisdom teeth need to be pulled out for various medical reasons.
What is tooth pulling?
The term “tooth-pulling” is used informally to describe the process of removing a tooth. Other terms for the process include dental extraction, exodontia, and exodontics.
Procedure
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction Procedure?
As with other dental procedures, especially those involving surgical options, a primary assessment will be conducted by your dentist, including examinations like medical background and dental x-ray, before deciding to push through with the tooth extraction procedure. This is to identify the proper treatment needed for your case. Your dentist might also advise you to refrain from harmful activities like smoking, as well as provide you with antibiotic prescriptions about a week prior to your scheduled procedure.
Before the start of the procedure (whatever type it may be), you will be provided with a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth for a painless process. The anesthetic will provide as much added comfort as possible all throughout, and you’ll only feel pressure from the extraction.
There are two types of extractions, depending on the severity of your tooth’s condition:
- Simple extraction:
In this procedure, your dentist will use an instrument called an “elevator” to loosen the affected tooth to expand the socket and break the tissues that support the tooth. Then, once your tooth is loose enough, your dentist will pull it with a pair of forceps. This will be done while you’re under anesthesia, so all you will feel is the pressure when pulling out your tooth. - Surgical extraction:
This is a more complex procedure for patients who have a tooth that has been either broken or has not yet erupted at the gum line, or an impacted tooth, along with other conditions. Your dentist will determine whether a local, intravenous or general anesthetic will be needed, depending on the severity of your case. During the surgery, a small incision will be made on your gum to access and loosen your tooth. If the affected tooth is too big, it will be crushed into smaller pieces so that it will be easier to remove. Patients with an impacted tooth will have some of their bone and gums removed to gain better access to the tooth, loosen it with forceps, and pull it out from the jawbone.
What is the Purpose of a Tooth Extraction Procedure?
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure where your tooth will have to be removed from your socket. While mostly done by dental surgeons, this procedure can also be performed by oral health providers such as general dentists and/or periodontists. However, some dentists try to save the affected tooth by treating it with other alternative dental procedures like dental crowns and fillings.
After the procedure, your dentist will stitch your gums back together, and you will be asked to firmly bite on a piece of gauze over the extracted area to help slow bleeding and form a blood clot, which helps in the healing process and lessens the possibility of dry sockets.
Cost
How Much Does a Dental Extraction Procedure Cost?
The cost of getting a tooth extraction procedure depends on several factors, including the number of teeth to be removed, the type of procedure you would need, the type of anesthetic that will be used, equipment costs, position of the tooth, and insurance, among others. Industry prices for tooth extraction in Toronto range from about $160 to $540, depending on some of the variables mentioned above. Wisdom tooth extraction, however, could cost between $250 to $680 per tooth. You can get in touch with us at (416) 223-7711 if you have further inquiries.
Recovery
How to Recover After a Tooth Extraction Procedure
The time that it takes to recover from a tooth extraction procedure varies on a case-to-case basis; it will depend mostly on the severity of the case, as well as the tolerance of the patient. Some people recover in a few days, while others require more recovery time. Usually, you’ll be able to function normally again in a span of 2 to 3 days, but the jawbone could take a few weeks to fully recover.
Aftercare procedures are best advised by your dentist, but the most common recommendations are to take your prescribed medication on a regular basis, keep the extraction site clean, eat soft foods, hydrate frequently, and avoid stressful and tiring activities for the first few days.
Risks
What Are the Risks Involved When Getting a Tooth Extraction Procedure?
Complications are possible with this procedure, as they are with other dental procedures, but they are not always the case. Some complications you can get after a tooth extraction procedure are a sore jaw, numbness of the lower mouth area, bleeding, possible fever and chills, swelling, and the risk of infection. If any of these, or other discomforts, occurs, consult your dentist on how to handle these symptoms.
FAQs
1. Is tooth extraction a painful procedure?
You will be given an anesthetic before undergoing a tooth extraction procedure. Rest assured that we will make your experience a comfortable one to the best of our capabilities.
2. When can I eat after a tooth extraction?
After almost an hour of your tooth extraction, you can remove the gaze and are allowed to eat soft foods or liquid foods. But for up to 10 days you should avoid eating hard foods that get trapped on the teeth’ empty socket and you should chew food with your other side of the mouth.
3. Will there be dietary restrictions after the tooth extraction procedure?
You must consult with your dentist regarding this matter to gain concrete answers, but usually, patients are advised to eat soft foods for the first few days after the procedure.
4. Will I fall asleep under anesthesia during the tooth extraction procedure?
If you were given a general anesthetic, then it’s most likely that you might fall asleep to ensure a pain-free procedure. However, this is only administered to surgical cases, and only when necessary.
Dynasty Tower Dental, affordable dental care in North York
If you’re interested in getting safe, secure, and comfortable dental services at a reasonable price, consult with us at Dynasty Tower Dental. Our team of oral care experts has extensive experience of over 20 years in various dental fields, ensuring the best quality service for each patient.