Dental extraction, also known as tooth extraction or removal, is a procedure used to take a tooth out. Extractions may be recommended if a patient has severe dental damage or the tooth is decayed.
If your dentist advises you to have a tooth taken out, it’s natural to have questions about what the procedure entails and how treatment works. When extracting a tooth, a dentist or oral surgeon will follow these steps:
Before the tooth is removed, your dentist will numb the area to make you feel comfortable and prevent you from experiencing pain during the procedure. In most cases, this will be a local anesthetic.
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your dentist will start to gently pull the tooth, moving it in the socket to loosen it from the bone tissue.
When the tooth is loose, your dentist will pull the tooth from the socket.
Your dentist will then stem bleeding using gauze or a suture. This will help to reduce bleeding and speed up the healing process.
After treatment, your dentist will give you some helpful advice to help you recover and reduce the risk of infection.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Beverly or Danvers, MA, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We provide a comprehensive range of general dental services, including dental extraction. If you have a tooth that is causing you a lot of pain, or you’re worried that your teeth may be damaged, our team is here to help you.
After dental extraction, it’s critical to look after yourself and follow some simple instructions to help the mouth heal. These include:
Take painkillers as advised by your dentist
Apply an ice pack to the affected area to ease swelling and discomfort
Rest for at least 24 hours
Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24-48 hours
Eat soft foods, such as soup and yogurt
Try to avoid spitting for 24 hours
Prop your head up with a cushion or pillow when lying down
Avoid smoking
Brush as normal, but take care to avoid the socket
If you have any questions after treatment, or you’re worried about how the socket is healing when you get home, contact your dentist immediately.
The teeth are incredibly strong, and often, they last a lifetime. However, there are risks, which can cause premature tooth loss. In some cases, dental extraction is the best course of action. Examples include:
Infection: if you have an infected tooth and the pulp, the living tissue, is affected, your dentist may not be able to save the tooth. In many cases, infections can be treated and it may be possible to salvage the tooth by carrying out root canal treatment. If this is not possible, the only option is to take the tooth out.
Severe decay or damage: if your tooth is severely decayed or damaged, it may be best to extract it. This may be the only choice if it is impossible to repair or treat the tooth.
Crowding: if your teeth overlap or they are too big for your mouth, you may be advised to have one or more teeth extracted. It is common for patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment to have teeth removed before they have braces fitted. You may also be advised to have a wisdom tooth removed if there is a lack of space, which means that the tooth cannot develop properly. If the tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow or it cannot push through the gum, it may become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can be painful and they also increase the risk of infection.
The cost of dental extractions varies according to the office you visit and what kind of treatment is required before and after the procedure. When you come for your dental consultation, we will provide you with a quote for treatment so that you understand how much it will cost before you agree to proceed.
Dental extraction is a relatively common procedure, which involves taking a tooth out. In most cases, extraction is a last resort when other treatments have failed or it’s not possible to repair or save the tooth. Extracting infected, decayed or damaged teeth and creating more space when the mouth is crowded can help to reduce pain and protect the surrounding teeth. The procedure is carried out under anesthetic (usually local anesthetic) to prevent discomfort. Patients are advised to rest for 24 hours after treatment.
It is common to experience mild discomfort after tooth extraction, but the procedure should not be painful, as it is done under local anesthetic. Most patients will be advised to take painkillers after extraction to ease pain.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Beverly, Danvers or Peabody, MA, contact us now.
