Although dental decay is the most common reason, tooth extractions happen for many other reasons.
Teeth can be extracted due to:
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Infection in the root canal
- Periodontal disease
- Serious health condition
The Tooth Extraction Procedure
If it’s the first time you’re having a tooth pulled you’re bound to be a bit nervous as to what will happen, before, during, and after.
Before a dentist removes a tooth they will give you some form of local anesthetic.
This is to numb the area that the dentist is working on, so that you won’t feel the dental extraction.
If you are having several teeth removed or suffer a dental phobia you may undergo some form of sedation.
As well as the traditional nitrous oxide there are other sedation alternatives available.
Teeth extractions can be done pretty quickly, once the anesthetic takes hold. However, occasionally the job may take a little longer.
The dentist uses a tool to gently move a tooth backwards and forwards. This opens up the tooth socket, loosens the ligaments, and help pull the tooth from the jawbone.
Once it is loose enough it will be pulled free.
Should you need dentures, your dentist will probably have discussed your options with you, regarding getting your dentures on the same day or after the gums have healed.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Removing wisdom teeth is often considered to be the most problematic procedure, but this is not always the case.
If your regular dentist feels unable to remove a wisdom tooth, you will usually be referred to a dental hospital where a specialist will do the job.
Again, you will be offered the necessary anesthetic and sedation to achieve pain free dentistry.
You may feel pressure or hear noises as the dentist or specialist loosens the tooth from its socket, making it easier to pull out.
Occasionally the gum may need to be cut, but you shouldn’t feel pain due to the anesthetic.
There may be some pain after tooth extraction, especially with wisdom teeth, but this should fade in time, and the dentist will advise on pain relief.
You may experience some swelling of the gum and the cheek may also be swollen. However, this is usually nothing to worry about and it should go back to normal after a couple of days.
Immediately After Getting A Tooth Pulled
When your tooth has been removed the dentist will use gauze to pack the empty socket. You will be asked to bite on the gauze, and fairly quickly the bleeding should stop and a blood clot will form.
If stitches are necessary they will generally be the self dissolving kind.
You will be instructed on aftercare, including:
- eating and drinking
- dry socket
- signs of infection after tooth extraction
What Is A Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a condition where the blood clot that originally formed, after you had your tooth pulled, is lost.
With no blood clot to protect the area, the socket dries out. This causes pain and it must be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
The condition can usually be treated fairly quickly and easily, with the dentist using a sedative dressing on the area. A new clot should soon form again. There are times when a dry or septic socket needs further treatment.
How Much Is A Tooth Extraction?
There is a wide range of prices for this procedure, and that’s basically because the treatment can be very simple or very complicated.
You could pay anywhere from around $80 upwards, depending on the number of teeth, sedation and anesthetics required, complicated procedures, etc.
In certain circumstances you could qualify for free dental treatment.
If you are on a low income or suffering financial hardship it’s worth checking out if there are any free or low cost treatment schemes near you.
Wisdom tooth extraction cost can escalate if you need to see a specialist for the treatment, or if more complex treatment is required to pull out teeth.
It has been known for some treatment to run into thousands of dollars, and if you don’t have dental insurance this could be a problem.
However, when you are suffering from the agonizing pain of severe toothache you need to get the problem treated.
If you are unable to get free or low cost dental work, then ask if there is a payment plan to cover the cost of your teeth being pulled.
After teeth have been removed you may need to seek replacement teeth, such as dentures or dental implants. You will have various options, according to your budget, and you may be able to get low cost options for this too.
Another option to cut the cost of getting teeth pulled is to travel for dental treatment, but the cost of travel as well as the cost of teeth extractions has to be taken into account.
Nobody actually enjoys going to the dentist and the dental profession usually does all they can to save a tooth.
But there are occasions when tooth extractions are the only solution to the problem.