Dental Extractions
At Dentist WA Canning Vale, our dentists always seek to help our patients preserve their natural teeth.
Dental Extractions
At Dentist WA Canning Vale, our dentists always seek to help our patients preserve their natural teeth.
Unfortunately, there are times when it is better for your overall oral health to have a tooth removed. A dental extraction could be the first step to alleviating pain or infection before you reach the road to recovery.
A dental tooth extraction involves the careful removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
This procedure becomes necessary for a variety of reasons, including severe decay, irreparable damage, wisdom teeth growth, or the need to create space for orthodontic treatment.
What are wisdom teeth?
When most people are in their late teens or early twenties, their wisdom teeth will erupt. These four teeth - two on the top and two on the bottom - are located at the very back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come through, and are also referred to as the "third molars" or even "18-year-old molars".
There is a certain percentage of the population who don't even have wisdom teeth, or not all four at least. This is perfectly normal, and not having wisdom teeth is hereditary.
For a small percentage of people, their wisdom teeth erupting is uneventful and without complications. And yet for others, their wisdom teeth can become painful and infected. In those cases, wisdom tooth removal may be the best option. If you are having problems with your wisdom teeth, our dentists are here to help.
What to Expect
During your procedure, we will carefully numb the area around the tooth to minimise any discomfort. After the tooth has been removed, we may or may not need to place a few stitches in the area. We will provide you with a few instructions to follow to ensure that your mouth heals nicely.
Do your wisdom teeth need to be removed?
The third and final set of molars that a person develops are usually referred to as the wisdom teeth. Sometimes, these teeth do not have adequate room to erupt properly. As such, it’s not uncommon to experience complications such as:
Teeth that are impacted or partially impacted
Pressure against neighbouring teeth, causing crowding
Difficulty cleaning the area
Subsequent infections or decay in the wisdom tooth or neighbouring tooth
Our dentists will use a panoramic X-ray to assess their stage of development and location to determine if the rest of your smile may be at risk. During your consultation, we can discuss whether a third molar extraction is appropriate.
When do I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?
In teenagers and young adults, wisdom teeth can be monitored via dental x-rays before they erupt. These x-rays will show if your wisdom teeth are present below the gum line and if there is room in your mouth for them to come in. In some cases, dentists may recommend wisdom tooth removal even if you aren't yet having discomfort or pain.
Wisdom teeth that cannot fully come in are called impacted, which means they may erupt at an angle. In these cases, wisdom teeth can cause damage to surrounding teeth and soft tissue by exerting pressure on them. Some impacted teeth only partially erupt, creating a flap of gum tissue. Food and other debris can become trapped between the tissue flap and the tooth, resulting in an infection.
Additionally, cysts can form around impacted teeth. Cysts are pockets of fluid that can damage bone, surrounding teeth, and gums. Antibiotics can treat infections, but in many instances, removing wisdom teeth is necessary to permanently treat the problem.
Preparing for a tooth extraction
Preparing for a tooth extraction
You will need to have a consultation with your dentist to confirm that your pain and discomfort is caused by your teeth. If you are having the procedure under general anaesthesia, your dentist will give you instructions on how long you need to fast for before surgery.
You will also need to organise for someone to pick you up, as you shouldn't drive after having general anaesthesia or sedatives.
Keeping You Comfortable
Ask our treatment coordinator for information on the various sedation and numbing options available to you! Your comfort is our highest priority; twilight sedation is available on-site. Speak to our treatment coordinator today to find out more.
Recovering from a tooth extraction
After your teeth are removed, some jaw swelling, pain and bleeding are normal. Use ice packs to help reduce swelling and apply pressure with clean gauze if bleeding occurs. Avoid hot food and beverages during the first 24 hours.
Plan to take it easy and rest for the first day or two, with help around the house if needed. Drink plenty of water and stick to soft foods while the extraction area begins to heal.
For most people, pain and discomfort resolve over about a week. Your dentist will advise you on suitable pain medication and whether antibiotics are required. Avoid smoking, vaping or drinking through a straw during recovery, as suction can increase the risk of developing dry socket.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, please get in touch. Food and other debris can become caught in a dry socket and result in an infection.
Throughout your recovery, we will be there to answer any of your questions.. Get in touch with our friendly team to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of tooth extraction varies, depending on how difficult they are to remove, where the procedure is performed and who performs it. Delaying tooth removals can lead to more complications, resulting in not only pain but additional costs.
On average the recovery time for a tooth extraction is 1-2 weeks. However, most people can back to their normal routine within 3-5 days.
Your dentist will provide post-operative instructions to keep your comfortable while you heal.
Dry socket is a complication that can occur after any tooth removal. When teeth are extracted, a blood clot forms over the extraction site. This clot protects bones and nerve endings. If the clot doesn't form or later becomes dislodged, a dry socket can result.
Dry socket typically occurs 1-3 days after your wisdom teeth are removed, and symptoms include:
- Severe pain that gets worse and is not lessened by medication.
- Pain radiating on the same side of your face as the extraction.
- Bad taste or odour in the mouth.
- Seeing visible bone.