Tooth Extractions in Indiana

When Do Teeth Extractions Become Necessary?

Tooth removal is usually a last resort reserved for cases where the tooth cannot be saved or is presenting a threat to your dental or general health. Deep decay, severe infection of the tooth pulp and periodontal disease that loosens teeth are common conditions that lead to a dental extraction. If your immune system isn’t working properly or you have a dental infection and require an organ transplant, it may be necessary to remove all of your diseased teeth. Teeth may also be pulled to correct crowding or other orthodontic problems. Getting a tooth pulled can be a scary prospect, but remember that there are several options for tooth replacement.

What to Expect When Getting a Tooth Pulled

Dentists frequently perform simple, non-surgical extractions. If a surgical extraction is required, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon. The following outline covers what you can expect to happen during a routine extraction.

• Before your dentist pulls the tooth, the area around the tooth will be made numb by a local anesthetic.
• An instrument called a dental root elevator is then used to widen the space that holds the tooth in place.
• When the tooth is loose enough, forceps are used to lift and extract it.
• Some bleeding is normal and expected. Your dentist will pack the socket with an absorbent material and instruct you to bite down on it.

Tooth Removal Cost

Tooth extraction cost varies depending on the location of the tooth in your mouth, the type of extraction process needed, anesthesia options and other factors. Your insurance coverage also affects the cost of dental extraction. For more detailed information about the cost of tooth extraction in Indiana, contact our office.

Why Is Oral Surgery Sometimes Required?

A surgical tooth extraction may be needed if you have an impacted wisdom tooth, or your damaged or diseased tooth removal will be difficult. Surgical extraction is carried out while you’re under general anesthesia, so you’ll remain unconscious throughout the procedure.

Tooth Extraction Healing Timeline

Healing after dental extraction occurs in several stages. The initial discomfort and swelling resolves in approximately one week. Gum tissues heal after about four weeks, and bone regrowth is complete in six to eight months. Tooth extraction pain is usually mild. If you develop severe pain, you may have dry socket; this is a condition that occurs when the blood clot that forms after extraction becomes dislodged prematurely. Your dentist can treat it with a special dental dressing that encourages new clot formation.

Dental Extraction Aftercare Guidelines

Extraction aftercare can facilitate a smooth recovery. Here are a few recovery period guidelines that your dentist may suggest. Surgical and full-mouth extraction aftercare may differ.

• Do not smoke during the recovery period.
• Avoid drinking through a straw for at least one full day.
• If you rinse your mouth, do it gently.
• Carefully follow your dentist’s food and drink advice.
• If you experience swelling or severe pain, contact your dentist immediately.

Our skilled and experienced providers perform tooth extractions on children and adults of all ages. Contact us today to learn more about tooth extraction in Indiana.