Your Tooth Extraction Information Guide
This is a form of dental treatment that most people would like to avoid, but you’ve landed on this page because you’re seeking further information relating to having a single or multiple tooth removed.
Sometimes, it is necessary to have a tooth removed and this could stem from a variety of reasons; overcrowded teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, high-levels of bacteria or a severely damaged tooth.
If you’re reading this and fall into these categories, then you’ve come to the right place!
This form of dentistry is known as tooth extraction treatment. Everything you need to know about the treatment can be found right here!
So, let’s read on so you can quickly seek a resolution to your dental concern in an Australian dental practice near you!
There are a multitude of reasons why a tooth can become decayed. When this happens, it can lead to serious infections in the mouth and in time, can lead to an abscess or periodontal disease.
Whilst losing a tooth may inadvertently have degrading oral health effects, catching the problem early can actually lead to more positive benefits to your oral health.
Read on to learn about all things tooth extraction to help you make an informed decision on how to better your oral health immediately!
What Is Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom teeth can cause complications if they haven’t erupted properly. These are known as impacted teeth and the direction of its eruption is typically anything other than straight.
If you’ve been told by the dentist that your wisdom teeth need to be removed, don’t panic! Whilst this may sound a bit daunting, it is important that you are prepared.
To help you further understand everything about wisdom teeth, we explain everything from procedure, costings, benefits to oral health and answer your commonly asked questions.
Let’s get started.
What Are The Available Extraction Procedures?
There are two types of extract procedures that the dentist carries out for separate reasons:
- Simple Extractions – These are typically performed to remove visible teeth in mouth performed under local anaesthetic.
- Surgical Extractions – A tooth may be difficult to access due to the tooth being broken in the gum line or hasn’t erupted. The surgeon would seek to split the tooth into pieces to remove it without any complications. This is performed under general anaesthesia.
When Would I Need Tooth Extraction Treatment?
Strong oral health consists of strong teeth, a healthy gum line that keeps teeth in place and smooth functioning of the mouth. When these three separate factors are negatively affected, your oral health is in danger.
We break down the oral concerns which could lead to tooth extraction treatment.
Severe Tooth Decay
One of the key ingredients for health teeth is calcium. Low calcium levels along with plaque build-up are two initial signs that decay is forming. The bacteria that captures the plaque damages enamel and the tooth surface begins to break down. Acids form from bacteria, exposing the dentin that exists between the enamel and the pulp. Pus liquid forms to damage nerves of the teeth through forming decay.
Misaligned or Crowded Teeth
Whilst you may have a full set of teeth, as you bite down on food you may not realise the damage it has on your teeth. Crowded and misaligned teeth lead an abnormal bite where your teeth cannot clench down together to bite on food without necessary damage to teeth. This risks further damage to oral health and extraction will be necessary to align and straighten teeth appropriately.
Gum Infection
Periodontal disease can form if bacteria forms from dental plaque that remains on teeth after eating food. Sometimes, brushing cannot reach the stubborn areas of your mouth structure and a dental check-up would be the only viable solution. This can cause early stages of gingivitis that infects the gums and weakens your oral health.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Keeping wisdom teeth increases the chance of developing other conditions such as periodontal disease. A wisdom tooth is classed as third-molar, formed at the back of the jaw. It is the toughest tooth that is last to appear when it erupts. However, if the tooth partially erupts and fails to grow properly, it usually becomes stuck at the gum surface.
Do you have a wisdom tooth and need to get it removed? Learn everything you need to know about wisdom teeth right here.
Dental Accident
Tooth trauma is common after a physical accident. Teeth can become affected severely leading to emergency help. The dentist will seek to perform an oral examination to determine the appropriate treatment that doesn’t include extraction initially, such as dentures or crowns. However, if the accident has caused the teeth to become severely damaged beyond repair, extraction will be necessary.
Other complications that require extraction include dental cavities and when preparing for dental braces.
What Are The Benefits Of Tooth Extraction?
It is easy to think that there are no benefits in having teeth removed. However, when damage to your teeth is captured early, there are more benefits to this than you think.
- Prevents the spread of tooth decay and infection to neighbouring teeth.
- Eliminates sensitivity for a more functional and confident smile
- Eliminates the risk of gum disease
- Enjoy a smooth bite during
- Protection of surrounding teeth
- Removes the source of discomfort and enjoy a better quality of life
- Protects the surrounding healthy tissue
How Does Tooth Extraction Work?
The oral surgeon wants to ensure that the procedure of tooth extraction treatment is as uneventful, painless and simple as possible. A co-operative patient makes all the difference, so the treatment is completed quickly and safely.
The first step involves the surgeon numbing the affected area including the tooth, bone and gum tissue. The surgeon will press on the gum tissue with a sharp object to test if you can feel anything under the anaesthetic to test its effectiveness. You should feel no sharp pain.
The surgeon will need to expand the socket where the root portion of the tooth is firmly placed to make it easier for the tooth to be accessed.
The surgeon then begins to clean and disinfect the affected area. Then using assorted forceps equipment, the surgeon will gently rock the tooth from side to side in a slow motion. This also helps to widen the hole and make it easier for the tooth to dislodge.
Once the tooth loosens its grip, the bone tissue begins to compress, and the socket increases in size. When enough space has been created, the surgeon will perform a pulling motion to remove the tooth from the socket.
What Happens Next?
Immediately after the tooth is removed, you are expected to experience some bleeding and swelling in and around the socket. Bleeding will occur first and a soft gauze pad will be provided to allow you to bite down on the pad against the blood. The pad will absorb the blood and ultimately drying out the blood and in the socket.
What will occur after some time in the development of the blood clot. This is necessary to prevent any painful complications after treatment and to protect the extracted area from infection. After treatment, allow for 2 or 3 days for the blood clot to form.
Where the clot is dislodged or hasn’t formed properly, this may lead to experiencing dry socket, a painful condition that may also bring bad breath or an unpleasant taste. This will heal on its own but will increase the healing process.
How Do I Care For My Oral Health After Extraction?
Developing the blood clot is the essential first step of recovery. Once you return home after extraction treatment, following these steps are essential for swift and optimum recovery:
- Cold Compress – Wrap an ice pack on the cheek of the affected area for ten minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
- Limit Physical Activity – Rest properly for at least the 3 to 4 days. The blood clot needs time to dry up and settle in the mouth.
- Elevated The Head – When lying down, elevate the head forward 45 degrees at a decline to stem the blood flow and for the blood clot to develop quicker.
- Turn To Soft Foods – Limit your diet to lukewarm water and softer foods to keep the affected area as healthy as possible. The last thing you need is for an infection to appear. Foods such as soft vegetables and soup are acceptable. Hard solids should not be eaten when healing.
- Rest The Mouth – Avoid as much function movement of the mouth as possible. This means not using the mouth regularly but only for eating soft foods. Movement of the jaw muscles slows recovery time.
What You Shouldn’t Do After Tooth Extraction
Not so fast! This doesn’t complete the process. You must also avoid doing these things so the healing process can be faster:
- Avoid eating solid foods such as hard nuts, sugars or meat.
- Reduce or eliminate smoking tobacco products altogether as this slows healing time and negatively impacts oral health.
- Avoid brushing and flossing the affected area for 24-48 hours. Only brush with a soft-bristle brush when permitted.
- Avoid saliva. Saliva helps to heal the affected wound as a disinfectant agent.
Tooth Extraction Costs In Australia
Having a tooth extracted is one of the more reluctant forms of treatment, but sometimes it is required. Before determining the average costs, there are a few factors to consider before making an informed choice.
- Location – Location is the most important. Tooth extraction treatment cost can vary dependent on your location in Australia. Particularly in metropolitan areas such as inner Sydney, where the cost may be higher.
- Procedure Type – A surgical extraction requires more than just a simple extraction and isn’t something that can be completed by an in-chair dentist.
- Health Insurance – Are you covered for dental treatments? If so, this may subsidize the cost of treatment.
- How Many Teeth? – Having multiple teeth extracted will obviously cost more on average.
Based on these factors, below is an average cost breakdown of the full tooth extraction process.
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | $40 – $60 |
| X-ray | $40 – $80 |
| Simple Extraction Cost | $225 – $250 (single tooth) |
| Surgical Extraction Cost | $250 – $400 (single tooth) |
For more information on tooth extraction treatment and helpful tips, visit our blog page.