WHAT IS A TOOTH EXTRACTION?

 Did you ever ask yourself when would I need an emergency dentist for a tooth extraction? On top of everything else, Exodontia or tooth extraction is considered to be the most dreaded dental procedure of all. Dentists usually exhaust every possible way to save damaged tooth but when they’re left with no choice they go for tooth extraction as last resort. Fillings and dental crowns are some of the dental treatments a dentist offers for patients with broken tooth or decay but when the damage is beyond repair using this procedures, extraction will only be the option.

What are the common reasons why tooth extraction is performed?

·         Severe damage or trauma on the tooth. Extensive decay and getting the tooth damaged beyond repair is the most common reason why extraction occurs. For others who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease, as the disease progresses the tooth loosens and cannot be helped but to get extracted.

·         Non-functioning tooth. A tooth is considered to be malposition when it has no opposing tooth to bite against. Before it threatens the oral health of the patient, the dentist usually advises for exodontia.

·         Orthodontics. When a patient is required to wear mouth appliance such as braces, more often than not, the dentist requires the patient to get tooth extraction to make space for teeth that will be moved into its proper alignment.

·         Crowded Mouth. Tooth is also removed to make a room for the permanent tooth to make it through the surface of the gum and erupt. When a tooth is blocking the permanent tooth from coming out, the dentist usually removes it to avoid further complications like impacted tooth.

·         Compromised immune system. Getting chemotherapy and organ transplant are some of the cases wherein immune system weakens and heightens the risk for infection. When risk for an infection in a particular tooth is high, dentists will ask for that particular tooth to be removed so as not to risk the patients overall oral health.

Literally speaking, tooth extraction is the process of pulling out a tooth from the socket in your mouth. This procedure often makes use of anesthetic medicine to alleviate the pain. Generally, there are two types of tooth extractions:

·         Simple Extraction. Dentists practicing general dentistry mostly and usually perform simple extraction. This is the extraction of tooth or teeth visible in the mouth.

·         Surgical Extraction. A more complex dental procedure that is performed to remove damaged tooth from the mouth. This is usually done for tooth which broke off near the gum line. The procedure is usually done by oral surgeons but some general dentists do it too.

There will be cases wherein the dentist will be placing stitches on the extracted area after the procedure to help prevent excessive loss of blood. Stitches can either disintegrate on their own or will require the patient to see the dentist after a week.

After extraction, the patient is required to take soft or liquid diet. They are also advised to chew food on an area of the mouth far from the extracted area. Easy to chew food helps the patient not to stuck food particles on the extraction site which can sometimes cause pain or infection. Brushing and flossing of the teeth can still be done except for the extracted site. During the first few days after the extraction, the patient should avoid dislodging the clot from the extraction area because this will prevent the normal healing of the wound. The normal healing time for tooth extraction is usually between five to seven days. Gum area around the extraction site usually takes three to four weeks to fully heal.

Except for wisdom tooth, the dentist usually offers ways to replace the extracted tooth. This is done to avoid complications. In the long time that the space or gap remains uninhabited, the teeth may shift from its original position, gum recession and even bone loss may also occur. Procedures such as dental implants, bridges and dentures are the options that the patient has.

Tooth extraction cost depends on how hard the procedure was done. In simple tooth extraction, the usual cost of pulling out a permanent tooth will be from $100 to $250, whereas if it’s a simple extraction of a baby tooth, it may range from $90 to $150. Surgical extraction of a permanent tooth on the other hand ranges from $180 to $400. Dental insurance may cover up to 80% of the cost if it is necessary and is not done for cosmetic purposes.