Here's our guide to extractions at Bays Dental Clinic. We can help you with emergency tooth extraction, orthodontic extraction and surgical or wisdom tooth extraction. In this article, we'll explain the steps involved in having a tooth out from start to finish and some important dos and don'ts to remember.
Why Your Dentist May Recommend an Extraction
After examining your mouth and doing some tests, your dentist will explain your treatment options. When extraction is suggested—or is your only option—they'll explain why and how you could replace it. Reasons your tooth may need to come out:
- There's not enough tooth structure left to support a filling or crown.
- There's not enough healthy support structure holding the tooth in due to periodontal (gum) disease.
- The tooth has a substantial crack or vertical fracture.
- Root canal treatment has failed.
- The tooth is impacted and won't erupt into position/there's no space for it.
- There's no opposing tooth, so you aren't using this tooth for chewing. When there's no tooth in the opposite arch (jaw) to bite against, the tooth will tend to over-erupt and may traumatise soft tissues.
- Your orthodontist may recommend taking teeth out as part of your treatment plan.
Our team at Bays Dental Clinic have experience with both standard and surgical extractions. They can also refer you to a specialist or our sister clinic, Dental Vision when specialised skills or general anaesthetics are required.
Extra Nervous? Have You Considered Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)?
Dental treatment can be tough for lots of people to deal with. It's natural to feel nervous. So, if you're afraid you can't cope, what can you do to make your dental treatment more comfortable?
- Firstly, bring someone or something to help you relax and find comfort. For example, your mum or BFF, a stuffed toy, a stress ball to squeeze or some music to listen to during the treatment.
- We have screens on the ceiling so you can watch something to take your mind off the extraction.
- If you feel this won't be enough to help you cope, treatment at one of our other clinics may be worth considering.
- Our colleagues at Dental Vision in Narre Warren offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for dental treatment. This gas can help you relax and has no lasting impact after your treatment.
Preparing for Your Visit: Tooth Extraction Costs and What You Must Do before Seeing Us
- The cost of an extraction can range from $200 to $500 per tooth, depending on the difficulty of the procedure.
- If you have private dental insurance, the amount you'll be out of pocket depends on your provider and coverage. We are a preferred provider for Bupa, Medibank Private and HCF.
- If you've been referred through a community dental clinic, you must bring your voucher and pay the current copayment fee.
- Aside from being aware of the costs and your options, we recommend you avoid smoking for 24-48 hours before your extraction and have a healthy meal before coming in. These steps help reduce your chances of getting a dry socket after your extraction and support your body in coping with stress.
What Are the Steps of an Extraction?
Want to know more about what to expect when you have your extraction? The experience will be different for different people, but will usually follow these steps:
- You'll settle in the chair and confirm the treatment with your dentist.
- A consent form is to be signed, outlining some possible complications. It's essential to make you aware of these, even though they are unlikely to occur.
- A topical anaesthetic gel is applied to make the local anaesthetic injection more comfortable. Don't worry; we'll make sure you're nice and numb.
- The dentist will start loosening the tooth. It's common for this to take some time.
- Once the tooth is loosened from its supporting ligaments, the dentist will wiggle it out with forceps. Sometimes, the assistant may support your head or jaw to stop excessive movement.
- If the tooth breaks or we are unable to move the tooth, we may need to use other techniques, such as sectioning the tooth into pieces or taking a surgical approach.
- If you've had a surgical extraction, the dentist will place some stitches for you.
- With a straightforward extraction, you'll bite on some gauze to apply pressure to the socket.
- Sometimes, the dentist may use a saline rinse to cleanse the infection or place the medication in the socket to assist with clotting.
How Long Does It Take to Recover After My Dental Extraction?
Healing time varies depending on your general health and the difficulty of the extraction. Recovery will take anywhere from two days to two weeks. At your extraction visit, your dentist will discuss aftercare and provide written instructions. Our team will phone you the following day to see if you have any concerns.
Have You Heard of Dry Socket? 
Dry socket is a painful condition in which the clotting process fails. This failure of healing is most common in patients who smoke. Your dentist can place medication in the socket to help ease discomfort and assist with healing. Antibiotics aren't needed for dry socket, as it's not an infection.
Don't Put Up with Pain! Your Dentist in McCrae, VIC, Welcomes You!
Putting off dental treatment might mean you have fewer options and more complicated treatment as existing problems worsen. We invite you to book an appointment today and keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.