Tooth Decay? Impacted Tooth? – Zen Dental Studio

By Author: Dr. Priyanka Menon
Total Articles: 94
Comment this article

Dental extractions are the last resort by a dentist to save surrounding teeth and prevent further damage to your oral health.

Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that involves the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Before the extraction, the dentist assesses the tooth’s condition using X-rays to determine the best approach. Local anesthesia is administered to number the area around the tooth, ensuring a painless experience for the patient.

Is tooth removal painful?
Generally, tooth removal is painless. Because the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals will be anesthetized by specialised techniques, you won’t experience pain. You will, however, experience the sensation of pressure. At times, you may even experience a lot of pressure.

Although this feeling of pressure shouldn’t cause you to feel discomfort, we mention it here because the more you know exactly what you can expect, the easier it will be for you to feel relaxed during the procedure

Would I need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are not required after simple extractions in patients who are not medically ...
... comprised and who do not have large infections.

Would I need time off work and how long would recovery take?
Depending on your exact dental problem, you may need a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. Surgical extractions have a longer healing process and come with a higher cost than simple tooth extractions. If indicated, a leave and attendance certificate will be organised by our practice for you.

How much would it cost?
Tooth extractions cost anywhere from $140-$450 per tooth. This cost is higher for surgical extractions and also if a tooth is to be removed and replaced with a dental implant, specialised atraumatic techniques are used which may cost more. Our team will discuss costs with you in detail before any treatment is commenced.

How much does my health insurance cover?
We can check your expected out of pocket costs on the day of appointment with our HICAPS instant claims machine before commencing treatment, so that you have peace of mind.

When do I need a dental extraction?
It is important to try and save your natural teeth as much as possible. Dental extractions are usually the last option a dentist would suggest.

Reasons your dentist may suggest you have a tooth removed include:

Large cavities and/or dental pain: Large areas of tooth decay can cause inflammation and infection inside your tooth. If you have a large cavity that causes irreversible damage, the tooth must be root canal treated or extracted to prevent further complications.
Wisdom teeth: Third molars (wisdom teeth) can grow in incorrectly, cause issues with crowding, develop cavities, and cause pain. Impacted wisdom teeth also pose risk of infection, inflammation, or gum irritation if not removed. Wisdom teeth removal is usually done between the ages of 17-25. See our wisdom teeth removal page for more information.
Cracked/broken tooth: if the tooth is cracked below the gum line and a filling or a crown cannot be an option to restore your tooth .
Periodontal disease: In its more advanced stages, gum disease can loosen teeth within the mouth. These loose and weakened teeth will only continue to cause issues if not removed.
Overcrowding: Removing a tooth can free up space for better orthodontic alignment. This may be necessary for orthodontic treatments, such as braces that shift teeth around inside the mouth.
Overlap: A patient’s permanent teeth may start to come in before their “baby teeth” have fallen out. The dentist may remove the smaller teeth and make room for the permanent ones.
Infection: In some cases, bad bacteria has spread into the tooth roots past what root canal therapy can treat.

Come get expert dentistry like never before in Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane. Our friendly team provides a welcoming and calming atmosphere in our clinic.