Dentists and oral surgeons perform tooth extractions for many reasons. The issue may be a painful wisdom tooth or a tooth that has been badly damaged by disuse. In some cases, a dentist will remove a tooth to brand infinite for dental prosthetics or braces.

An oral surgeon, not a dentist, may extract a tooth when the situation is more complicated. In many cases, they extract third molars or wisdom teeth.

The dentist or surgeon will numb the tooth first to make the person more comfortable. While a tooth extraction may still be unpleasant, it can exist central for relieving dental pain and preventing futurity issues.

In this commodity, we outline the unlike types of tooth extraction and why people need them. Nosotros too describe grooming and what to await after the procedure.

a dentist showing a lady an x-ray of her mouth and pointing towards where a Tooth extraction will happen. Share on Pinterest
Dental cavities, gum affliction, and dental infections are all reasons why a dentist might remove teeth.

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth.

Dentists and oral surgeons remove teeth for various reasons. Some examples include:

  • dental cavities
  • gum affliction
  • dental infections
  • trauma or injury to the tooth or surrounding bone
  • wisdom teeth complications
  • training for a dental prosthesis
  • preparation for dental braces, if the teeth are very crowded
  • babe teeth non falling out at the proper age

The right type of tooth extraction depends on the molar's shape, size, position, and location in the oral cavity.

Dental surgeons may classify extractions as simple or surgical. A uncomplicated extraction involves a molar that is visible above the gums and that a dentist tin remove in ane piece.

A surgical extraction is more complicated and involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both. The surgeon may need to remove the tooth in pieces.

Wisdom teeth are the final to erupt and usually the outset to require extraction because in many people, they are impacted. This ways that they have not fully emerged from the gums.

Wisdom teeth extraction is a mutual procedure in oral surgery.

A person will have a consultation with their dentist or oral surgeon prior to the extraction.

During the consultation, the doctor will ask for a thorough medical history. They will also ask nigh whatever medications that the person is taking.

Some people need to stop or start taking sure medications in the days leading upward to the surgery, depending on the amount of teeth, bone, or both to exist removed.

A person may also receive certain medications on the day of the surgery.

Stopping blood thinners

Many people take blood thinning medication to forbid the formation of blood clots in vessels. These medications can atomic number 82 to more bleeding during surgery.

A dental surgeon can usually control bleeding at the site of the extraction past:

  • using topical clotting medications on the gums
  • packing the tooth socket with foam or dissolvable gauze
  • stitching up the extraction site

Using gauze and applying pressure level after the procedure tin can also help cease bleeding.

However, anyone who takes blood thinners should allow their dental surgeon know during the consultation.

In order to tell whether the person should temporarily switch to a unlike blood thinner or stop taking this type of medication, the surgeon may demand to see the results of a recent blood test.

Typically, people do not demand to stop taking blood thinners prior to tooth extractions. Anyone considering stopping this treatment should consult their dentist or physician first.

Starting antibiotics

In a few circumstances, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics earlier a tooth extraction.

For example, they may do and then to treat dental infections with widespread symptoms, such as a fever or malaise, forth with local oral swelling.

Toothaches without swelling practise not require antibiotics. Always take antibiotics exactly as directed by a doctor, and avert unnecessary apply.

A person may need antibiotics if they have a high risk of infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the interior lining of the heart chambers.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people with sure heart weather condition have an increased risk of developing this infection following dental surgery.

The AHA and American Dental Association recommend, therefore, that people with any of the following accept antibiotics prior to dental surgery to reduce the risk of infection:

  • a prosthetic cardiac valve
  • a history of cardiac valve repair with prosthetic fabric
  • a cardiac transplant with structural abnormalities of the valve
  • certain congenital eye abnormalities
  • a history of infective endocarditis

Anesthesia during surgery

The person will receive an injection of local anesthetic close to the site of the extraction. This will numb the area so that the person will non feel any pain. The numbness will continue for a few hours after the surgery.

A person can request additional coldhearted or sedative medication to minimize anxiety during the procedure. The dentist or surgeon may offer:

  • nitrous oxide, likewise known as laughing gas
  • an oral allaying medication
  • intravenous, or 4, sedation
  • general anesthetic

A person who receives general anesthetic will be completely asleep during the process.

Some dentists do not take the options above at their offices. If a person requires any of these, they should allow their dentist know during the consultation, and the dentist may refer them to an oral surgeon.

Before starting the extraction, the surgeon will take an X-ray of the person'due south tooth. This imaging volition help them evaluate the curvature and angle of the tooth'southward root.

Once the local anesthetic has numbed the expanse, the surgeon will brainstorm the extraction. They may remove the tooth in several pieces.

If the tooth is concealed beneath gum tissue or bone, the doctor may need to cutting away the glue or remove the obstructing area of bone.

A person should non experience pain, but they can look to experience pressure against the tooth. They may as well hear grinding and cracking of bone or teeth. Some people find the experience unpleasant and lamentable.

If a person does feel whatever hurting, they should notify their dentist or oral surgeon immediately. The doctor will administer more numbing agent.

Afterward the extraction, stitches or boosted procedures to command the bleeding may be necessary. The dentist or surgeon will place a thick layer of gauze over the extraction site and have the person bite on information technology to absorb the blood and start the clotting process.

Below, find ways to help reduce discomfort and promote healing after a tooth extraction.

Changing dental gauzes

Following an extraction, the dentist or surgeon will lay a thick layer of gauze over the site. Biting downwards on the gauze with firm, consistent pressure will help control bleeding.

The gauze must remain in place for at least xx–30 minutes. The person will then need to supercede the gauze whenever it becomes soaked with blood. The bleeding volition likely continue for one–two days after the surgery.

Controlling pain

The numbness from the local anesthetic should merely concluding for a few hours following an extraction. Contact the dentist if the numbness persists.

The dentist may prescribe medication to alleviate pain and inflammation after the procedure. Typically, though, over-the-counter medications such every bit acetaminophen or ibuprofen are enough to control the pain after a routine extraction.

Controlling swelling

People may experience mild facial swelling in the area of the extraction. This is normal. Applying ice to the face may assist convalesce the swelling.

Avoiding disturbing the extraction site

The first 24 hours after an extraction are extremely important.

Disturbing or irritating the area can keep blood clots from forming finer and slow the healing procedure.

People should therefore avoid:

  • sucking on the extraction site
  • touching information technology with their tongue
  • using a straw
  • spitting
  • eating solid — especially crunchy — foods
  • rinsing the mouth vigorously
  • drinking alcoholic beverages or using mouthwash that contains alcohol
  • smoking

Taking care when eating

After a tooth extraction, drinkable plenty of fluids and eat soft, nutritious foods.

When chewing becomes comfortable again, slowly reintroduce solid foods. The dentist will recommend chewing on the side opposite from the extraction site until the wound has fully healed.

Brushing and flossing

Continue to castor and floss as usual after a tooth extraction, only be careful not to disturb the blood clotting.

Starting the day afterward surgery, people tin can likewise rinse every few hours with warm salt water. To make this, add half a teaspoon of salt to ane loving cup of water.

One complication of tooth extraction is dry socket. This is not an infection — information technology involves os in the surface area of the extraction condign exposed, either because the blood has non clotted or because the clot has become dislodged.

Dry socket tin can crusade intense, radiating pain that usually starts a few days subsequently the procedure. It tin also cause bad jiff. If a person has astringent hurting that starts 2–iii days after the surgery, they should speak to their dentist.

Handling volition involve rinsing the surface area and placing medicinal paste on top of the exposed bone to protect it.

People tin can ordinarily foreclose dry socket by following their dentist'south aftercare instructions — especially by not smoking after surgery.

Infection is another complexity, and it can occur when leaner infect the gumline in and effectually the socket inside 1–2 days later surgery.

A person with any of the following symptoms of infection should contact their dentist:

  • persistent swelling
  • pus and redness in or effectually the site
  • a fever
  • swollen glands in the cervix

If a person has experienced no complications during recovery, they may not need to follow upwardly with their dentist. Stitches usually dissolve and do not demand removal.

A dentist or oral surgeon may schedule a 1-week follow-up date to check how the extraction site is healing.

The cost of a tooth extraction varies, depending on factors such every bit:

  • where the person lives
  • the blazon of extraction
  • how complicated the extraction is
  • who performs the process, as specialized oral surgeons commonly accuse more than general dentists, for example

Dental insurance plans tend to provide some coverage for routine dental extractions.

On average, however, a elementary or routine extraction will cost about $130–250. A surgical extraction requiring the removal of gum tissue or bone will cost around $250–370.

The cost of having a wisdom molar removed also depends on the complexity of the process — whether, for case, the tooth is fully visible, partially covered by gum or os, or fully impacted. General dentists tend to charge between $300–500 for this type of procedure.

Additional sedation, such every bit nitrous oxide, will increase the cost, but a local anesthetic is included in the toll of the extraction.

Also, the extraction fee does not include the cost of whatsoever initial examination and 10-rays required to tell whether the molar needs removing.

The average fee for an examination is near $75, and a small X-ray tends to cost around $30. A panoramic X-ray that shows the entire rima oris and all wisdom teeth costs effectually $120.

Information technology is important to have a consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon to discuss all the costs of the process alee of time.

Earlier having a tooth extracted, a person will meet with their dentist or oral surgeon to discuss the procedure.

During this consultation, the doctor volition take a full medical history. They will enquire most past and ongoing health issues and treatments to ensure that the right prophylactic measures are in place. The person should enquire almost costs and heighten any concerns most additional sedation.

Earlier extracting the tooth, the dentist or oral surgeon will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Although the process is not painful, it may cause discomfort.

A person tin can do several things to help speed their recovery. Ultimately, information technology is crucial to avert disturbing or irritating the extraction site. This will help the claret to clot and the wound to heal.