What Is Tooth Extraction?
Although your dentist will make every effort to save your tooth, there are times when a dental extraction is the best solution. Extraction may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including decay, infection, breakage, overcrowding, and gum disease.
A surgical tooth extraction is required when the tooth is not visible above the gum line because it is unerupted or has broken off. This procedure is more complex and involves making an incision in the gum to remove the tooth.
Do I Need Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extractions may be necessary if you are experiencing:
- Severe tooth decay or infection – teeth can sometimes be infected right in the pulp. Usually, when this occurs, root canal is recommended. However, if this is not possible or not successful, then extraction may be necessary to avoid spread of infection.
- Severe gum disease – also known as periodontal disease, this is where the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth become infected, which may loosen the tooth. Extraction will then be necessary.
- A crack or fracture – sometimes, teeth are cracked or fractured too badly to be salvaged and will need to be removed.
- An inability to be restored after endodontics – as above, if an infected tooth cannot be restored through root canal or endodontics, extraction is required so that infection does not spread. You will like consider a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
- An extra tooth is blocking other teeth from growing in – to avoid crowding or potential infection, the extra tooth will need to be removed.
- To make room for work – sometimes, the tooth needs to be extracted so that the remaining teeth can be realigned or for procedures like All on 4.
- Cosmetic reasons – a tooth may be badly discoloured and needs to be removed and possibly replaced with a tooth implant and crown.
- Financial reasons – sometimes, saving a tooth through extensive endodontic work or purchasing a crown is not financially affordable, so extraction is the realistic option.
Tooth Extraction Pricing
FAQ: Tooth Extraction
We’ve put together some of the most common wisdom teeth removal questions to help you make an informed decision.
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
Recent developments in pain control mean that tooth extraction doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. Local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area beforehand. In most cases, your dentist can also apply numbing cream, so you don’t have to feel the local anaesthetic being administered.
For patients who are anxious about the possibility of tooth extraction pain, your dentist can also provide anti-anxiety medication or IV sedation. Many patients choose our oral anti-anxiolytic medication one hour prior to surgery. This allows our patients to have the procedure feeling relaxed and comfortable.
