Tooth Extraction in Wilmington, NC
Tooth extractions are perhaps one of the most common general dental procedures performed by a dentist. You may need to have a tooth pulled either in childhood or adulthood. Fortunately, tooth extraction is a fairly straightforward process, and it’s completely safe for you and will be over before you know it.
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What is a Tooth Extraction?
A dental extraction is the complete removal of your tooth from its socket. Tooth extraction is performed by a dentist and is a relatively quick outpatient procedure with either local, general, intravenous anesthesia, or both.
Tooth extractions can be classified as simple or surgical. A simple extraction involves a tooth visible above the gums that a dentist can remove in one piece, while a surgical extraction is more complicated and involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both. The surgeon may need to remove the tooth in pieces. The type of tooth extraction depends on the tooth’s shape, size, position, and location in the mouth. le your appointment.
Why Would You Need to Get a Tooth Pulled?
At Mayfaire Family Dentistry, we’ll do everything we can to save your natural tooth. But if your tooth has been badly damaged and other restorative options such as dental crowns or fillings aren’t enough to save it, then an extraction may be necessary. We may recommend a tooth extraction if you have:
- Severe decay or infection: A tooth removal may be warranted if you have severe decay or periodontal disease. This will prevent the decay and infection from spreading to the adjacent teeth.
- Trauma or injury: Traumatic dental injuries often occur due to an accident or sports injury. While most of these injuries are minor (chipped teeth), others may be severe, necessitating an extraction. For example, If the tooth is cracked or fractured right to the gum line, treating it might not be an option.
- Orthodontic treatment: Dental extraction is recommended for patients with severe crowding – you may need one or two teeth removed to provide room for their other teeth as they shift into place.
- Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth extraction is quite common, as they rarely come in perfectly without causing problems with the surrounding teeth. Your wisdom teeth can crowd existing teeth, become impacted, or otherwise cause pain, and even cause infection.
Can You Leave a Dead Tooth in Your Mouth?
It’s important to treat a dead tooth as soon as possible because, left untreated, the bacteria from the dead tooth can spread to the surrounding teeth and lead to further complications such as the loss of additional teeth. It could also affect your jawbone and gums.
But don’t worry, there are several options available to replace the extracted tooth:
- Implants: Dental implants are the most effective ways to replace a missing tooth. It replaces the entire tooth structure, including the root and crown, restoring full functionality and appearance.
- Bridges: A dental bridge permanently replaces missing teeth with false teeth. The bridge is attached to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Is Tooth Removal Painful?
Tooth removal is usually performed under anesthesia, so you’ll not feel any pain during the procedure. However, you may experience some discomfort after the extraction, and your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or a more powerful pain medication if your extraction was complex or required surgery of the gums and bone.
What are the Side Effects of Removing a Tooth
Normal side effects following a tooth extraction include bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Dr. Overton will provide you with aftercare instructions on how to successfully manage the side effects.
What is the Recovery Time After Tooth Extraction?
It typically takes a few days to recover from a tooth extraction. While you’ll be able to return to routine activities within three days, it usually takes the jawbone several weeks to heal completely. Be careful not to disturb or irritate the extraction site during the first 24 hours, as this can prevent blood clots from forming effectively and slow the healing process.
Tooth Removal Cost
The cost of a tooth extraction varies depending on several factors, such as the type of extraction and how complicated the procedure is, but in general, you can expect to pay $130-$250 for a routine extraction and $300-$500 for a surgical extraction. Luckily, dental insurance typically covers this cost, so you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket.
Dental Extraction Procedure in Wilmington, NC
If you have severe tooth decay, periodontal disease, overcrowding, wisdom tooth impaction, or think you need a tooth removed for another reason, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Overton. We will examine you to determine if a tooth extraction is the best course of action and develop a customized treatment plan that gets you on the path to improved oral health.