Table of Contents
Introduction
The word tooth removal fills panic in children as well as adults of all age. Most of the times, people fear removing their teeth because they aren’t completely aware of the procedure and so fear the “unknown”. So it would be great if you read some information before you schedule a visit with your dentist for removal of your tooth.
This would help you get acquainted with what is going to happen and you can be at ease when the dentist treats you. The procedure of removing a tooth is called Dental Extraction in medical terms.
There are a multiple reasons why one may need tooth extraction ranging from badly decayed teeth, removal of wisdom teeth, teeth required to be removed for making space for other crowded teeth and much more.
The dentist or surgeon will numb the tooth first to ensure a pain less procedure. Even though dental extractions can be scary, it can be the key for relieving dental pain and preventing future problems.
When tooth removal is needed
Let’s take a look at different situations where dentists advice extracting teeth.
Irreparable tooth damage due to severe decay
Generally decayed teeth are treated by a root canal procedure, but when certain teeth are decayed beyond repair, they need to be extracted to prevent the infection from spreading to deeper structures.
Advanced gum disease
When gum disease progresses to further stages it is called periodontal (pyorrhea) disease, where there is an infection of the gums, bone and other structures surrounding the teeth. In severe stages, teeth may become loose and interfere with eating, speaking and chewing. In such cases extracting these teeth is the only option.
Impacted tooth (trapped inside bone)
Teeth that are most commonly impacted are wisdom teeth. A tooth is impacted when it is blocked from coming out. Many times, dentists recommend extraction of wisdom teeth to help eliminate the risk of infection around gums (Pericoronitis), to avoid overcrowding of teeth and to save other teeth from decaying.
To make space for other teeth
The extraction of one or several teeth may be necessary to eliminate the overcrowding of other teeth. This is generally advised by an orthodontist during an orthodontic treatment to make room for crowded teeth and help in aligning them.
Fracture tooth.
When you bite hard object or stone like substance is coming in between teeth while eating there are high changes of teeth get fracture, fracture of top part will be repairable but is crack is extend to root and tooth will separate in to two part, this tooth can’t be saved with rct, need to be extracted.
Failed root canal treated tooth
Thought root canal treatment has high success rate up to 95%, in some case your teeth may not respond to rct or after multiple re-root canal your teeth get repeated infection, extraction is only option for such teeth.
Necessary after an accident
Accidents that involve facial trauma tend to injure teeth, most commonly the front ones. Accidents where teeth are injured, the first line of treatment is always to save the teeth by procedures like filling or a root canal treatment. However, if the damage is too extensive and beyond the scope of repair, a tooth extraction may be required.
Types of teeth removal
Dental surgeons may classify extractions as simple or surgical. A simple extraction involves a tooth that is visible above the gums and a dentist can remove in one piece without having to cut gums or bone.
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 at times. Teeth that are most commonly removed by a surgical extraction are wisdom teeth because they are mostly impacted inside the bone.
What to tell your dentist before you have a tooth extracted?
The procedure of extraction of teeth is very safe, but still dentist will ask about general health any medical history to do necessary change in procedure as well as in medication
If you have a medical condition which may put you at a higher risk of developing infection post extraction, you may need to be under an antibiotic coverage pre and post extraction. So, it becomes essential to inform the dentist about any existing medical conditions, medical history and the medications you take before going for an extraction appointment.
If you have a history of heart disease, asthma, bleeding disorder, hiv, diabetes, epilepsy pregnancy, on going medication specially blood thinner must inform it to the dentist.
Tooth removal Procedure
The dentist may need an x-ray of the tooth to be extracted in order to evaluate several factors like shape and curvature of the roots, angle in which the tooth is located in relation to the bone.
Evaluation of these factors helps the dentist in planning the extraction and deciding if the extraction will be surgical or non-surgical.
The procedure begins with the dentist administering local anesthetic solution to numb the tooth and surrounding structures. Once the local anesthetic has numbed the area, the dentist will begin the extraction.
A person should not feel pain, but they can expect to feel pressure against the tooth. They may also hear grinding and cracking of bone or teeth. If a person does feel any pain, they should notify their dentist immediately.
The doctor will administer more numbing agent. The tooth is then removed using instruments called elevators and forceps.
In the case of surgical extraction, when there is no complete access to the tooth, the dentist may cut open the gums and also remove some amount of bone obstructing the tooth. Sometimes, the dentist may also need to cut the tooth into pieces to ease its removal. Of course you will not feel any pain as area is completely anesthetize with anesthetic solution
After extraction of the tooth, the extraction site is cleaned and stitches will be placed if the gums were cut open. A layer of thick gauze (medical cotton) is then placed over the extraction site and the patient is asked to bite on it. This is done to ensure the arrest of bleeding.
Tooth removal aftercare instruction
Since tooth extraction is a surgical procedure and induces bleeding causing a wound, it needs good aftercare to promote healing and avoid other complications.
Following are the instructions to follow after an extraction.
Bite down on the thick gauze placed by the dentist for an hour to stop bleeding from the extraction wound and to help in clot formation.
Do not gargle or spit for the first 24 hours, though you may drink water or juice.
Consume soft or liquid foods like fruits, yogurt, milk or khichadi on the day of extraction to reducing down on chewing. Avoid using straw for taking in liquids, next day you can resume regular diet on other side of jaw.
Continue brushing teeth and flossing as usual, but take care while brushing on the extraction site. After 24 hours, perform warm salt gargles 3-4 times a day.
Do not smoke or chew on tobacco for at least first 48 hours.
In case of a surgical extraction, you may experience a swelling near the cheek; apply an ice pack to your cheek directly to reduce the swelling. This can be repeated for 7- 10 minutes 3-4 times a day.
Take the medications on time as prescribed by the dentist.
If you experience pain or signs of infection like fever, pus drainage or extreme pain, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Recovery time after tooth removal
Normal tooth extraction can recover within 3-5 days where as surgical extraction will take 10-15 days of initial healing,
Complete gum regeneration and fill up of wound will around 1-2 month.
Time of recovery will depend on several factors like type of surgery, existing illness, hemoglobin & essential nutrient level etc.
Cost of teeth removal in Rajkot
Cost of tooth removal depend on type tooth extraction that is surgical or non-surgical, difficulty level of tooth extraction and time require for procedure, and skill of dentist
For simple tooth removal may cost you anywhere between 250-1000, surgical extraction will cost you 1500-12000 in some case general anesthesia may needed when inadequate mouth opening is there. This will increase your cost.
What is replacing option after tooth removal?
After removal of tooth a space will be there and you will not able to crush your food or your smile looks ugly if front teeth have been extracted.
We always advise to our patient for replacing missing teeth as it will maintain balance in jaw tooth will hold together in harmony, and you can eat well.
Fix teeth replacement
There are two options.
- Dental Bridge: with help support of adjacent teeth we can replace missing teeth with help of dental bridge; there is variety of material available to meet your expectation. This option is suitable only when few teeth is missing
- Dental Implants: a latest advancement in dentistry is dental implant which is a more natural way of replacing missing teeth, having same benefit as natural teeth, it maintain gum and bone level and does not require support or neighboring teeth.
Of course dentist will decide which one is best for you
Non fix/ removable teeth
This made up of acrylic material, could be a temporary low cost option
If all teeth are missing denture is one of the options for replacing missing tooth