Need a Tooth Extracted? What to Expect

As family dentists, our first prerogative in dealing with any dental problem is to save as much as we can. And that includes teeth that are decayed, or gums that are receding. If we can crown a molar or repair a chipped tooth with bonding or veneers, we’ll do it. However – and we always consider it a last resort – but sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary.

Reasons to Have a Tooth Taken out

Not all tooth extractions are because you’ve got mouth damage that’s irreparable. Reasons you might need a tooth removed include:

• Excessive decay
• An infected tooth or gums
• Tooth is chipped or broken above the gum line
• Crowding (too many teeth, usually removed for orthodontial correction)
• Wisdom teeth extractions
• Compromised immune systems (chemotherapy and organ transplant patients may need compromised teeth replaced)

Whatever your reason for tooth extraction, relax! Removing teeth is a really simple procedure, and you’re in good hands. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry and our gentle approach to patient care, the procedure is quick and relatively pain free.

Removing visible teeth is a simple extraction, because your dentist can see enough of the tooth to grip it. But if your teeth are broken below the gums or are still below the surface of your jawbone (as is often the case with impacted wisdom teeth), the process can be more complicated, and may require some degree of oral surgery. The term “oral surgery” might seem daunting, but in the case of tooth extractions, it’s really not.

Here’s what to expect from a tooth extraction:

Preparing for a Tooth Extraction

It’s natural to be nervous before a tooth extraction, but relax! You’ve got nothing to be worried about. We can complete most tooth extractions quickly at our dentist office in Cincinnati. Whether we’re your family dentist and we notice an urgent cavity at your dental cleaning, or you’re a new patient who needs an emergency dentist after breaking a tooth playing soccer, we’ve got you.

When you have notice you’re getting a tooth removed, it’s important to prepare for a tooth extraction properly. Depending on the extent and type of tooth extraction, you might need a friend or family member to drive you to your appointment.

Depending on which dental sedation methods are used, you may feel woozy after the experience. Or you just may not feel well. So grab a local family member or friend who can take time out of their day to come to your tooth extraction appointment with you.

Before your appointment, we invite you to discuss pain relief options for recovery after your tooth extraction. We can prescribe you extra-strength Tylenol to help you feel comfortable and pain-free after the procedure.

Additionally, you need to disclose all medications and conditions that might affect the type of sedation dentistry that’s right for your procedure, as well as the healing process. Some medical conditions require special care for a tooth extraction. Tell your dentist if you have any of the following:

• A congenital heart defect
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Renal disease
• Hypertension
• An artificial joint
• Damaged heart valves
• Adrenal disease
• An impaired immune system
• A history of bacterial endocarditis

You’ll need to be careful about what you eat after a tooth extraction. We recommend soft foods like pudding, rice, or soups. Get stocked on these foods ahead of time so you can eat without much hassle or preparation. You may feel under the weather.

As well, plan to take the day off following a tooth extraction. You’ll need to rest. Prep your Netflix queue. Keep a good book beside the bed or the couch. Give yourself time to recover.

The Process for a Simple Tooth Extraction (Visible Teeth)

Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You’ll feel only pressure — no pain. We’ll use a special instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth. Then we’ll remove it with forceps. We’ll give you something to protect the socket, a bit of aftercare advice (which we’ll share below), and send you on your way!

The Process for a Surgical Extraction (Concealed Teeth)

Your dentist will give you local anesthesia as well as intravenous anesthesia to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. We may also decide to use general anesthesia so you are not conscious for the procedure. That decision will depend on your preferences as well as how invasive the tooth extraction procedure is. For instance, in wisdom tooth extractions, pulling slightly-erupted wisdom teeth without fully-formed roots is a completely different, less involved process than removing teeth that are impacted and rooted in the jaw.

The dentist will cut into your gum to make a small incision. We may need to remove a bit of bone around the tooth or cut the tooth to be able to fully extract it. These types of tooth extraction take a bit more aftercare, and have higher risks of complications than simple tooth extractions.

Risks Following a Tooth Extraction

There are some minor risks you should be aware of following a tooth extraction. A small clot is supposed to form in the socket of the extracted tooth. If it doesn’t, or becomes dislodged, the socket is exposed — a situation known as a “dry socket.” If this happens, your dentist will put a sedative dressing over it for a few days as a new clot forms.

Letting a tooth removal heal properly is all about that clot. Don’t use straws, eat hard foods, or do anything strenuous for the first few days after the tooth extraction. Dislodging that clot can cause complications in the healing process.

If you experience any adverse effects after your tooth extraction (besides a bit of initial bleeding, pain and swelling), give your dentist a call. But, if you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital; these are medical emergencies and signs of infection:

• Intense chills or fever
• Chest pain
• Swelling
• Cough
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding longer than a few hours

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?

Other, less expensive options for tooth replacement include implant bridges, bridges and dentures, but dental implants are the only option for replacing teeth that preserves the integrity of the jaw.