Tooth Extractions in Yokine

During the removal process, you may feel some pressure as the tooth is being loosened and removed. You may also hear a popping or creaking sound. This is perfectly normal since the tooth and its socket are made of hard tissues. The process of extracting a tooth can be painful. However, a local anaesthetic will be applied by your dentist to ease any discomfort. Additionally, our dentists offer over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medications to assist you in managing the pain after the treatment.

All of us would love to keep our natural teeth for the rest of our lives if possible. However, there are times when teeth are so severely damaged or overcrowded that extraction is the only way to restore oral health. Although your dentist rarely recommends tooth extraction as their first choice, they will do everything they can to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Here are what you can expect at each stage of the extraction:

Step 1: Numbing your mouth

Your dentist will numb your mouth adequately before the extraction so you won’t experience any discomfort. A topical numbing lotion will usually be applied to the gums around the tooth before a strong local anesthetic is administered.

Step 2: Extraction of a tooth

Once the area is numb, the dentist can begin removing the tooth. A set of forceps can often be used to gently rock the tooth back and forth until it slips out of the socket. In the case of impacted wisdom teeth, the dentist may have to make a small incision in your gums and remove the tooth in pieces.

Step 3: The closing of the gap

After cleaning out the socket, the dentist must close the hole left by the extracted tooth to eliminate any leftover tooth or bone fragments. The area can be stitched up if the tooth was impacted or multiple teeth were extracted at once. Gauze will be placed over the wound, and you will need to bite down on it for roughly an hour to stop the bleeding, changing the gauze when it is already soaked with blood. If the swelling persists, you can also apply an ice pack to the cheek.

You’ll have a pleasant experience with an extraction if you’re fully prepared ahead of time. Preparing for this procedure consists of a few essential steps:

Ensure everything is clear: It would be best to clarify any confusion you have regarding the surgery with the dentist you consult. Ask your question to gain the mental satisfaction you need, rather than thinking it is too silly.

Show medical records: Make sure that your dentist is aware of your medical history. Before your procedure begins, you should discuss your medical history with your dentist. Be sure to be detailed and not leave anything out.

• Bacterial endocarditic history
• Congenital cardiovascular disease
• Mechanical or biological valves
• Liver disease
• Artificial replacement of joints
• Immune system dysfunction

These factors will make the patient more susceptible to infection. If you have any, make sure you don’t miss it.

Pain relief and anaesthesia: During a dental extraction, you may receive anesthesia or sedation. It is essential to know which drugs are used during your particular treatment. Some people may have an idea of which sedation and anaesthesia work well for them. If you have had anesthesia in the past, let the dentist know what side effects you experienced. A dentist will create a plan to ensure that you feel confident but not at risk.

Don’t eat anything before surgery: If you are having surgery, you should not eat anything for 12 hours beforehand. This will help you avoid nausea during and after the procedure. Tell your dentist if you suffer from a disease, such as diabetes so they can also make necessary adjustments and preparations.

In most cases, tooth extractions go smoothly after a few post-operative instructions are followed, which let the situation return to normal within a few days. Even so, you would benefit from the information below if you were faced with any of these risky situations.

• Improper teeth alignment: Upon extraction of a permanent tooth, the rest of the teeth may move, causing misalignment of the teeth. This leads to changes in the bite. If such an issue persists, orthodontic corrections are required to manage the misalignment and any biting issues.
  On the other hand, the missing tooth (or extracted tooth) needs to be replaced as soon as possible. This can be accomplished using a variety of dental restoration techniques. In modern dentistry, dental implants, bridges, and dentures are just some of the restorations available to address the issue of a lost tooth.
• A bite collapse: A bite collapse may occur in some patients, especially those who have lost their back teeth. Also known as loss of vertical dimension of occlusion, it involves moving the lower jaw towards the upper jaw. Due to occlusion changes, the muscles contract differently, which in turn leads to symptoms such as chapped, cracked, and dry lips.
• Post-operative pain and other related symptoms: Post-surgical effects of tooth extraction include pain, inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Fortunately, these are all common effects and will subside with time. Usually, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicines are prescribed to alleviate such discomfort. Bleeding and infection in the area are less common and require further management, such as antibiotics.
• Delayed healing process: It has been shown that some medications, such as bisphosphonates, which are commonly used for osteoporosis and cancer therapy, can cause the jaw to heal more slowly following a tooth extraction.
  Before the extraction procedure, it is usually recommended to cease the medication temporarily. The risk of complications linked to impaired healing can be reduced by doing so.
• Osteoradionecrosis: Individuals with a history of radiation treatment directed towards the head and neck area have an increased risk of developing osteoradionecrosis. Radiation can damage the blood vessels that supply the bone below the extracted tooth, causing the bones beneath the tooth to deteriorate.
• Dry socket (Osteitis): A blood clot naturally forms in the area where a tooth was extracted. Blood clots can be dislodged prematurely in some cases, causing dry sockets or osteitis.
• Nerve damage: The nerve that’s near some teeth may be injured in some cases when teeth are removed. This may leave the area permanently feeling numb or tingly. Patients may suffer from this complication, but it is rare.
• Maxillary sinus exposure: When the upper molars are extracted, there is a chance that a hole will open in the maxillary sinus, requiring repair. In cases where these teeth are being removed, dental x-rays can be used to evaluate the sinus exposure risk and guide treatment decisions.

Extraction of teeth lasts depending on the tooth to be removed. Some may take a long time, depending on the patient’s needs and oral health history. Most patients can expect the entire tooth extraction procedure to last about an hour, or an hour and a half, including preparation, and recovery from anesthesia.

Your dentist will provide you with detailed post-surgical instructions following your extraction. Here are some general guidelines to help you recover quickly:

Maintain a clean extraction site.

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash, rinse the area twice to three times each day. It is not safe to brush directly over an extraction site until your dentist tells you it is safe. Make sure you brush and floss all other areas appropriately.

All medications must be taken according to instructions.

Medications such as antibiotics and pain relievers may be prescribed by your dentist. Please make sure to follow the directions carefully. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Rest for at least two days before engaging in strenuous activity.

An elevated heart rate can aggravate post-operative bleeding and discomfort. Avoid exercise for 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Consult your dentist on when you can return to your regular routine.

After tooth extraction, a missing tooth or teeth must be replaced. Otherwise, further damage can occur. A malocclusion is any condition that affects the alignment of your teeth or bites. It is possible to have malocclusion when you do not replace missing teeth. An extracted or missing tooth will cause teeth next to it to shift toward each other in an attempt to fill the space.

Consequently, there is a partial gap and crooked teeth, which are difficult to clean and maintain. This shift in the alignment of your teeth will also negatively impact your bite and your ability to chew food.

Also, an empty tooth socket in the mouth provides the opportunity for a neighbouring tooth to erupt. In this instance, a neighbouring tooth attempts to fill in the gap by growing in and filling it since there’s no barrier there to stop it.

Apart from having crooked or overgrown teeth, you may also suffer from bone loss or resorption. Without teeth to support that area of your mouth, your gums and jaw bone begin to deteriorate. The bone loss will also cause your cheeks and lips to look sunken in, instantly making you look older.

The cost of tooth extraction varies widely based on whether the tooth is impacted. The cost of simple extractions can reach $190 per tooth, and the cost of a sectioned tooth can run up to $260. On the other hand, complex extractions can range between $390 and $450, depending on whether bone removal or tooth division is necessary. 

However, it is essential that you come to our dental clinic for a consultation with our dentist so you can get an idea of the total cost of your dental procedure.

The benefits of dental insurance range from reducing the cost of dental care to ensuring that patients maintain good oral health throughout their lives. Some minor restorative dental procedures, such as tooth extraction, can be covered by insurance to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.