Tooth Extractions
Supporting dental health when a tooth is damaged
Know how
About Tooth Extractions
Tooth extraction is a last resort treatment when a tooth has become badly damaged and can’t be repaired with a filling or a crown.
Damage can be the result of a trauma to the tooth, or as a result of periodontal disease, which may result in severe tooth pain or damage to other teeth if the problem tooth is not removed. Tooth extraction may also be necessary as part of wider orthodontic treatment or if you have problems with overcrowding.
At Bethcar, we support you through the whole process if you need tooth extraction, including the removal of the tooth and talking you through the repair options afterwards, such as a bridge.
Treatment Benefits
Benefits Of Tooth Extraction
We only ever remove a tooth if there are clear benefits to doing so. The benefits all relate to your overall health and wellbeing as well as the health of your other teeth and gums.
Benefits include:
Relief from discomfort
If you have a severely damaged tooth or an impacted tooth, it can be extremely painful. In some instances, removing the tooth is the only way to stop the pain.
Improving your smile
It might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes removing a tooth is the best way to improve the appearance of your teeth and your smile. For example, if you have severe overcrowding and space needs to be created to prevent teeth from becoming crooked.
Why Choose Us
We Want What’s Best For You
Our professionals understand that having a tooth removed can be daunting.
We don’t take the decision lightly. When we recommed tooth extractions, we will have investigated every alternative. Not only that, but we guarantee the you’ll be comfortable the whole time.
At your appointment we go at your pace and take you through all of the available options for restoring your smile such as dentures and bridges.
A few things you may like to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tooth extraction?
Dental extraction is the removal of a tooth or teeth, the reasons for which can range from severe overcrowding (which is unusual) to damage caused by periodontal disease or resulting from an injury.
What is tooth extraction for?
The reasons for tooth extraction can vary but the most common reasons you may need a tooth removed are:
- Impaction: when a tooth remains stuck in the bone or gum tissue instead of growing properly. This is not uncommon if your jaw is too small to accommodate growing wisdom teeth, for example.
- Tooth decay: this happens when bacteria causes a severe level of plaque build-up on teeth and as a result causes the bone underneath to become damaged. One way we seek to avoid this as part of our dental hygiene plans is with regular scaling and polishing. Tooth decay can be common amongst children, which is why our children’s dental plans incorporate education in good brushing techniques and oral hygiene practices.
- Periodontal disease: This is usually the result of an infection in the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth.
- Gum disease: this is when the gums become red, swollen and sore or even bleed, usually as a result of plaque build-up which then irritates the gums. If gum disease becomes severe it can damage the bone that supports the teeth, which may result in tooth loss or the need for tooth extraction.
- Trauma: this might be an impact from sport or a fall, which damages the tooth or causes it to become loose.
- Tooth overcrowding: this is when teeth become scrunched together if there is not enough space for them, causing them to become crooked. By removing a tooth it can help make space for the remaining teeth to straighten. If this is the reason for tooth extraction it may be followed with additional treatment such as orthodontics (braces).
What's involved with tooth extraction?
If we think you may need a tooth removed, we will discuss the options and reasons with you beforehand and explain the treatment process.
If tooth extraction is the right course of action, we will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area so you won’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. It is a fairly straightforward process and you may feel some pressure in your mouth when we remove the tooth, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Once the tooth has been removed we may need to place a small stitch, but usually it will heal on its own by forming a blood clot to seal the tooth socket. We will advise you on aftercare, which usually includes no strenuous activity for 24-hours so as not to dislodge the clot, gargling with salt water and taking painkillers if necessary.
If there is any follow up treatment we will discuss this with you at your appointment.
Is tooth extraction right for me?
Root canal treatment is another option when a tooth has been severely damaged, so how do you know if tooth extraction is the right course of action for you? At Bethcar we will discuss your options with you. If there is a chance that we can save your tooth without putting your overall health or wider dental health at risk, then we will always gravitate towards that option. We will only recommend dental extraction if it’s necessary. For example:
You are in severe pain even after root canal treatment
While root canal treatment is usually successful at repairing a tooth without removing it, in some instances however, the problem will continue, causing pain and putting your other teeth at risk. In this scenario we may recommend tooth extraction.
The tooth is too badly damaged for alternative options
Sometimes it is clear that the damage to the tooth is already too severe for alternative forms of treatment. We will be able to ascertain this through dental x-rays and examinations.
There isn’t enough space for the tooth
Sometimes there are too many teeth fighting for space in the mouth – this typically becomes clear as children develop their adult teeth. It can result in your teeth becoming crooked, it can cause pressure on your teeth, it can inhibit the growth of your teeth or it can affect the function of your bite.
It’s part of wider orthodontic treatment
If you are having orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth and improve your smile, having a tooth removed may be part of the process. This may be to create space for the teeth to align neatly or to facilitate the orthodontic treatment.
You have problems with your wisdom teeth
One of the most common reasons for tooth extraction is when people have problems with the development of their wisdom teeth. They may be impacted, which affects the development of your teeth, or partially impacted which can lead to tooth infections as well as being uncomfortable. In these scenarios removing the wisdom teeth may be the best way to stop any pain and prevent any damage to your remaining teeth.