At Miller Center Dental, the care and well-being of our patients are our top priorities. Every member of our skilled team strives to ensure patient comfort and a stress-free dental experience. Our dedication to compassionate, personalized attention and gentle, precise care has earned our office the respect and trust of our patients.
What You Need To Know About Having A Tooth Extracted
While we do everything we can to preserve the integrity of your natural smile, it’s sometimes necessary to extract a tooth to protect your oral health and overall well-being.
Some of the most common reasons our office may recommend having a tooth extracted include the following:
A “baby” tooth that hasn’t fallen out yet, that is severely decayed, or damaged.
In most cases, a baby tooth falls out as the underlying permanent one begins to erupt. However, occasionally a baby tooth remains firmly attached to the bone. Either the roots have failed to resorb and shrink as intended, or the baby tooth has become ankylosed and fused to the supporting bone. Over-retained baby teeth can disrupt the development and alignment of your child’s smile. As we monitor your child’s smile, we’ll advise you if and when extraction is needed to facilitate eruption of the permanent successor.
A permanent tooth that has extensive decay and is deemed non-restorable
Beginning as a small defect in the outer enamel layer, untreated dental decay continues to compromise healthy tooth structure as it progresses into the inner layers of the tooth. Without proper care, a cavity can cause significant damage, irreversible nerve damage, infection, and serious consequences to your oral health. When a tooth has sustained significant damage and cannot be restored, extraction may be required.
A permanent tooth that has been severely fractured or cracked and can not be restored
Many types of chips, cracks, and fractures can affect your teeth. The extent of damage determines if enough tooth structure remains to save the tooth and the treatment needed. When too much tooth structure or the root is compromised, extraction may be necessary.
Advanced gum disease that has significantly compromised the tooth’s supporting tissues
The most common cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. When untreated, periodontal disease affects the tissues supporting your teeth, leading to pocket formation, gum recession, and bone loss. As it progresses, teeth loosen, fall out, or require extraction.
Poorly positioned, impacted, or decayed wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop and erupt. Often, they lack sufficient room to erupt, develop incorrectly, decay extensively, or cause issues for adjacent teeth and tissues. While extraction is sometimes recommended for older patients, early removal of problematic third molars in young adults is more common.
Overcrowded Teeth
A tooth-to-jaw size discrepancy often leads to a crowded, misaligned smile. Simply put, the jaws are not large enough to accommodate all permanent teeth. As part of orthodontic treatment to align teeth and establish a healthy, functional bite, extraction of select permanent teeth may be required.
How Is a Tooth Extraction Performed?
Whatever the reason for a dental extraction, you can rest assured that your care is in good hands at our office. First, our dentist will review your medical and dental histories and discuss any special considerations.
Inform our office of any medical conditions or medications you are taking. In some cases, extra precautions like premedication with antibiotics, medication changes, or medical clearance may be required. Follow all pre-surgical directives and notify us if you are sick or have symptoms on surgery day.
Our goal is to reduce anxiety and ensure patient comfort during tooth extraction. Before the procedure, we’ll discuss medical considerations, precautions, and pre-surgical instructions. We’ll also cover post-surgical recommendations, including whether tooth replacement is needed and the best options for tooth replacement.
To assess the tooth and extraction type, we perform a comprehensive exam and take digital radiographs as needed. Extractions are typically categorized as “simple” or “surgical.”
What Is A Simple Extraction?
When the tooth is clearly visible and the root anatomy is not extensively hooked, fused to bone, or unusual, it is usually a simple extraction. After numbing the tooth and surrounding tissues with a local anesthetic, our dentist loosens the periodontal tissues attached to the tooth and uses forceps to remove the tooth. We do all we can to ensure your comfort and relaxation throughout. For anxious patients, we can discuss additional dental sedation options.
What Is A Surgical Extraction?
For severely broken-down, ankylosed, or impacted teeth, surgical extraction is often needed. We may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. During surgical extraction, a small incision in soft tissues and precise removal of the overlying bone provide access to remove the tooth. Patients receive a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. Additional dental sedation options, pre-surgical considerations, and instructions are thoroughly discussed.
What To Do After Getting A Tooth Taken Out
As experienced providers, we recognize every case is different and provide treatment addressing each patient’s unique needs. Depending on the patient, we provide post-operative instructions, including activity limitations, medications, and follow-up care to support recovery. Sometimes, post-op care involves the patient’s physician. Generally, unless otherwise noted, the following guidelines apply to simple extractions.
Post-Op Care Following An Extraction
Maintaining Gauze Pressure
After your extraction, gauze will be placed over the site for you to bite down on. Maintaining pressure on the gauze should stop active bleeding. You may change the gauze after the first hour. If heavy oozing continues, bite down for another 45 minutes. Some oozing for 24 hours is normal, but contact our office if bleeding remains profuse.
Be very careful to protect yourself until the local anesthetic wears off completely. Make sure you don’t unintentionally bite or injure your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.
Take Medications as Prescribed
Antibiotics:
If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics, be sure to take the correct dosage and full course of medication as prescribed.
Pain management:
Take a pain reliever before the local anesthetic wears off. Over-the-counter (non-aspirin) pain medication may relieve discomfort. Take prescription pain medication only as directed.
To Facilitate Healing
Do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or suck on candies. Allow the extraction site to clot and avoid dislodging it once it forms.
Apply Ice
An ice pack placed over the extraction site helps control swelling. Apply ice in 10-minute intervals during the first day after your procedure.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking prevents clot formation and interferes with healing. Avoid smoking and tobacco products for the first week; better yet, take this opportunity to quit smoking completely.
Watch What You Eat And Drink
Avoid hot or spicy foods and drinks for the first day or two. Also, avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Stick to soft foods and liquids for the first few days after surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.
Oral Hygiene
Brush gently and avoid disturbing or irritating the extraction site for a few days. Use a mild, lukewarm saltwater solution to freshen your mouth. Do not rinse or spit during the first day or two. Let liquids gently fall from your mouth into the sink.
Follow-up Visit
If sutures were placed, or if a complex extraction, infection, or other issues require monitoring, you will be given a follow-up appointment. It is essential to keep this appointment.
If you experience continued bleeding, ongoing pain, more swelling, have a bad taste in your mouth, or other unusual symptoms, contact our office.
Why choose Miller Center Dental?
You deserve quality care personalized to your needs, and at Miller Center Dental, your smile is in good hands. We deliver precise, gentle care, keeping you informed and relaxed throughout your procedure. If your tooth needs replacement, we’ll discuss options including dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants. Dental implants are the most advanced method, closely replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.
Dental Extraction FAQs
What Are The Most Common Reasons For An Extraction?
The most common reasons for tooth loss include advanced periodontal disease, extensive tooth decay, and facial trauma. Gum disease causes nearly 70% of tooth loss in adults. Less frequently, specific diseases, drugs, smoking, and poor nutrition also increase the risk of tooth loss.
How Common Is Tooth Loss?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that, in the United States, an average of 12 teeth (including the wisdom teeth) are lost by age 50. Also, 26% of adults aged 65 to 74 have lost all their teeth.
Does It Hurt To Have A Tooth Extracted?
Every patient and situation is different. When the tooth and surrounding tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic, you should feel only pressure, not pain, as the tooth is loosened and extracted. For apprehensive patients and in some surgical extractions, we discuss dental sedation options to help relax and reduce discomfort.
What Will I Feel When the Anesthetic Wears Off?
It is normal to feel some tenderness and swelling after an extraction, though the degree varies. This depends on the extraction’s complexity and your body’s response. We’ll recommend or prescribe pain medication to ensure your comfort and provide instructions for safe, effective use.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Tooth Extraction?
Recovery after a simple extraction is typically shorter than after a surgical extraction. However, overall health, habits, tooth size and location, and other factors influence healing. To speed recovery and avoid complications, patients must follow at-home instructions carefully. We’ll review what to expect and your post-op care.
Why Should One Refrain From Smoking Following A Tooth Extraction?
Smoking interferes with blood clot formation, an essential first step in healing. Blood clots protect exposed bone and nerve endings and support the growth of new tissue. Cigarette smoke contains toxins that disrupt healing and can cause inflammation, infection, or dry socket.
What Is Dry Socket?
In a very small percentage of cases, a condition known as dry socket can develop after a dental extraction. This painful condition can arise when the blood clot in the extraction site doesn’t form properly or gets dislodged. With dry socket, you may experience throbbing pain and symptoms such as bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. As skilled providers of care, our office will provide immediate treatment to alleviate your discomfort and promote healing.
Will I Need My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
The last teeth in your mouth to develop, wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to fully erupt or may be positioned in the wrong direction. These issues can affect your dental health and overall well-being. While some individuals never develop all their wisdom teeth, and a few have sufficient space for them, many people have partially or fully impacted third molars. Our office will monitor the development, position, and health of your wisdom teeth and will advise you if and when extractions are indicated.
What Is a Bone Graft Performed Immediately Following an Extraction Procedure?
After a tooth is removed, bone grafting material is sometimes placed in the socket to promote healing and encourage new bone formation. This procedure is often performed to support the eventual and successful placement of a dental implant.
How Much Does Getting A Tooth Taken Out Cost?
At Miller Center Dental, we strive to make dental care affordable and accessible. Depending on the type and complexity of the extraction and other variables, the procedure’s cost can vary. Based on our diagnostic findings, our office will inform you of the most appropriate care options, explain the fees, discuss insurance coverage, and outline your payment options.
Are Tooth Extractions Covered By Dental Insurance?
Many dental plans offer some level of coverage for tooth extractions. We’ll advise you whether your plan covers the full cost of the procedure and whether there are any out-of-pocket expenses. Our business office will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits as much as possible while helping you minimize any out-of-pocket expenses.