DENTAL TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Tooth extractions are exactly what they sound like—a dentist removes a tooth (or teeth) from the patient’s mouth. It can be done in a variety of ways, and dentists extract teeth for different reasons depending on the situation.
WHEN ARE TOOTH EXTRACTIONS NECESSARY?
People of all ages can be in need of a tooth extraction, and the procedure is performed for those with a range of conditions. One of the most common reasons for tooth extractions is severe damage and decay, beyond what can be addressed with a root canal.
However, dentists also remove teeth that are broken, chipped, angled, or in the wrong place. Tooth extraction can often precede dental implants, as it makes room for the new tooth. Teenagers often have their wisdom teeth removed as they can cause problems for the other teeth.
EXTRACTION AFTERCARE
Tooth extractions can lead to a variety of issues following the surgery, but these are usually somewhat mild and can be managed at home.
Immediately following surgery, it’s common for patients to bleed at the location of the tooth. However, this shouldn’t last more than an hour and can be helped with a piece of gauze placed on the socket. Dentists usually tell patients not to brush the affected area for several days after the procedure, as this can aggravate any rawness or tenderness.
Blood clots form naturally as part of the healing process, and it’s important that their formation isn’t interrupted. If they become dislodged from the socket, bleeding will resume, and the mouth will have to begin healing itself again. Therefore, dentists recommend avoiding hot liquids, smoking, straws, and rinsing of the mouth for at least 24 hours following the procedure. Patients should also avoid eating tough or hard foods or anything with small pieces that could become lodged in the socket.
It’s common for patients to experience some pain in the days following tooth extraction, and this can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen. In the case of more invasive procedures such as surgical extractions, dentists can prescribe more potent pain medication, which helps to alleviate more intense pain.
COST OF TOOTH EXTRACTION
A number of factors are relevant to the final cost of a dental procedure. Each insurance policy is different, and the type of extraction required also has an effect on the price, as well as what is covered by insurance. By staying up to date with preventative care, such as exams and X-rays, you can put yourself in a better position to avoid any overly invasive procedures—the longer an issue goes on, the more costly and complicated it becomes.
Once your procedure is complete, you can get back to business as usual quickly, usually within a few days or a week. However, it’s important to allow the healing process to finish before doing anything that could aggravate it, as setbacks can make your body take longer to heal.
EXTRACTION FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Dentists sometimes need to remove teeth prior to orthodontic treatment prior to orthodontics procedures; however, this is becoming less and less frequent. In more severe cases, such as correcting bite problems or facial deformities, oral surgeons often cooperate with orthodontists to address the issues.
WHY WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS ARE OFTEN NECESSARY
Due to the invasive nature of the procedure and the sometimes painful side effects, it’s common for people to question whether they need their wisdom teeth removed, especially since their growth is often painless.
Reasons we take out wisdom teeth:
- Typically more good reasons to take them out rather than leaving them in
- They hurt when erupting
- They can create irreparable defects in surrounding teeth
- Other reasons can be discussed with the dentist
While wisdom teeth removal isn’t necessarily right for everyone, the risks of not undergoing the procedure generally lead dentists to recommend doing it sooner rather than later. After looking at X-rays and seeing the positioning of the wisdom teeth, they should be able to give a recommendation on the best course of action.
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