Tooth Extraction
If a too is too badly damaged by trauma or tooth decay to be repaired, general extraction may be the best option to protect your other teeth and your overall oral health.
At Karratha Dental Care, our dentists have over 60 years of combined experience performing tooth extractions. We can also recommend follow-up treatments such as dental implants, crowns and dentures to replace the extracted tooth and restore the appearance and integrity of your mouth.
When is tooth extraction necessary?
There are many reasons why your dentist may recommend general extraction. A tooth may need to be removed if it is:
Damaged, decayed or infected beyond repair
Loosened by gum disease
Causing crowding
Misaligned or improperly positioned
If you are having full dentures or full arch dental implants fitted, general extraction will also be carried out to remove any remaining teeth.
What to expect
Your dentist will only consider dental extraction if a tooth is too badly damaged to be saved using treatments such as a filling or root canal , unless the tooth’s presence is causing problems for your oral health.
During your consultation
Your dentist will explain what the extraction procedure involves and will use diagnostic equipment to plan the most effective treatment based on your situation and the location of the tooth in the mouth.
Local Anaesthetic
Administered to numb the area where the extraction will take place. General anaesthesia may be needed if multiple teeth are being extracted, or if the tooth is impacted in the gums and difficult to remove.
Condition of the tooth
Depending on the condition of the tooth, it may be removed by loosening and pulling without the need for surgery, or your dentist may need to cut into the gum and bone to access the root and remove the tooth in pieces.
What happens after an extraction?
If you are having a crown, dentures or other replacement teeth fitted, this can usually be done on the same day as your extraction.
Your dentist will prescribe painkillers and advise you to reduce your activities for several days following the treatment to improve your chances of a quick recovery. During the first 24 hours, you should avoid rinsing the area, eating hard foods, drinking through a straw or smoking.
