Emergency Tooth Extraction
Most dentists will do everything in their power to save your tooth and minimize the damage done to it but sometimes tooth extraction may just be the best solution, especially when the tooth is too damaged to be saved. If you’re facing a teeth crisis and it deteriorates to unbearable pain, emergency tooth extraction may be the last resort.
What is emergency tooth extraction?
✓ Emergency tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the urgent removal of teeth to alleviate pain and bring relief to a patient.
✓ Dentists recommend emergency tooth extraction when there is severe pain, big cracks, massive fractures or other situations that may jeopardize a patient’s dental health.
✓ Emergency tooth extraction is usually performed within a 24 to 48 hour period after diagnosis by a dentist.
Signs you may need an emergency tooth extraction
We all want our teeth to last a lifetime but your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if it is damaged beyond repair. Most people don’t know when it’s time to make an emergency visit to the dental clinic even when they’re experiencing pain or discomfort.
Besides pain and bleeding, it might be a good idea to remove wisdom tooth if you’re experiencing any of the issues below:
• Infected and swollen gums
• Pus formation (dental abscess)
• Swelling on one side of the face
• Extremely loose tooth
• Root canal failure
• Food trapping with associated bad taste and inflammation
• Resorption that causes cavities
• Difficulty cleaning and associated decay
• Crowding that can inhibit orthodontic treatment
Tooth extraction (or wisdom tooth extraction) is a significant decision. Even if you’re experiencing the symptoms above, it’s advised to schedule an appointment with a dentist before you conclude on having your tooth removed. Having a dentist perform an exam on your mouth can help spot budding problems and recommend extraction of one or more teeth.
Why we may recommend an emergency tooth extraction
After examining your mouth and taking an X-ray, your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if other dental treatments are not possible. Here are some reasons dental removal may be necessary.
• Impacted wisdom tooth
Wisdom teeth are the third molars that erupt in your mouth in your late teens to early twenties. They are located at the back of your mouth and are the last permanent teeth to appear. While some people are able to keep their wisdom tooth, others simply don’t have enough room, especially when the wisdom tooth gets stuck, leaving a flap of gum over the erupting tooth. In such cases, it’s best to remove wisdom tooth to avoid complications.
• Fractured tooth under gums
Your teeth experience friction every time you eat and absorb the force that comes with chewing and biting. Sometimes, the force from chewing and biting may crack your lower molars, especially if your teeth don’t fit perfectly together. Fractured tooth under gums require tooth extraction as soon as possible.
• Severe tooth decay
Tooth decay is damage that occurs to your teeth when acid is produced from plaque that builds up on your teeth. Severe tooth decay may lead to cavities, dental abscesses or even tooth loss. In cases where there’s significant healthy tooth structure than decayed structure, your dentist may be able to save the tooth. However, tooth extraction is inevitable when the cavity worsens beyond what can be repaired.
• Periodontal disease
Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease and it can be reversed with routine teeth cleaning and good oral hygiene. If left unchecked, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis. Periodontal disease cannot be reversed by medications or dental treatments. The only real cure is dental removal.
• Crowded teeth
Crowded teeth refer to a dental condition where there is insufficient space for teeth to grow in the mouth, leading to improper growth. As a result, the teeth may be twisted and misaligned. Many patients who want to achieve a straight smile may opt for tooth extraction.
What does tooth extraction involve?
The procedure for wisdom tooth extraction is similar to any other tooth extraction. We administer local anesthesia to numb the target area. You should not feel pain during the extraction except for a little pressure when the tooth is being extracted from the jaw bone.
If it’s a complicated case where the tooth is beneath the gums or only partially grown out above the gums, a tiny cut will be made on the gum to access the top of the tooth. Depending on the situation, we may also split the tooth into smaller pieces to pull it out.
On average, dental removal for one tooth takes around 20-40 minutes. If you’re having more than two or more teeth extracted, the procedure may take longer.
Is tooth extraction painful?
This is one question almost every patient asks about tooth extraction. In short, tooth extractions do not hurt because the application of anesthesia numbs the pain. If you’re still anxious about the procedure, your dentist may use both anesthesia and sedation.
Wrap-up
If you’re looking to remove wisdom tooth or just want to have damaged tooth extracted, emergency tooth extraction may the right for you. Dental removal alleviates pain, prevents damage to nearby teeth and decreases the risk of oral disease and inflammation.
Don’t wait anymore if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort. Book an appointment for an emergency tooth extraction today!
