There is no need to worry about tooth extraction, as the procedure and recovery are usually straightforward.
- A tooth should be removed if it has become so bad that it cannot be repaired.
- Tooth extraction is performed under a powerful anaesthetic.
- Before tooth extraction, we will make a treatment plan with you to replace the missing tooth. Often, for bite or appearance reasons, for example, you might need a dental implant.
Sometimes, a tooth is in such bad condition that it cannot be saved. Your dentist may decide to remove a tooth if:
- the tooth is badly decayed
- there is severe gingivitis or inflammation of the root tip next to the tooth
- the root of the tooth is cracked
- the root canal treatment of the tooth has failed
- the tooth is chipped through or broken into several pieces and cannot be replaced.
If you suffer because of the tooth and it needs to be extracted, book an appointment at Hammas Mehiläinen.
Tooth extraction is usually done under local anaesthesia. If you are very nervous about tooth extraction, we can help you with a sedative pre-medication.
You should take a painkiller at home an hour before the procedure. This will allow the painkiller to take effect before the anaesthetic wears off.
In the case of an extraction of an infected tooth, you may be prescribed an antibiotic an hour before the procedure in certain circumstances.
If you are having several bad teeth removed at once – i.e. dental reconstruction – and you are nervous, anaesthesia may also be considered. If you are going to be anaesthetised, you will be instructed by your anaesthesiologist well in advance.
Tooth extraction is carried out in dental surgery. Here's how it works:
- Tooth extraction with a lever and pliers At its simplest, tooth extraction is a quick procedure: the dentist numbs your jawbone and gums, pulls a lever and pulls out your tooth - that's it.
- Tooth extraction in surgery If your tooth is chipped or has curved roots, your tooth extraction may require surgery.
- After the tooth extraction, you'll take a moment to relax in the waiting room. An ice pack will be placed on your cheek to prevent swelling. We will look after you throughout your visit.
- A date for a possible follow-up appointment and stitch removal will be arranged after the procedure.
- You will receive home care instructions and any necessary prescriptions from your dentist before you go home. You will usually need painkillers. Removal of an infected tooth may require a course of antibiotics.
- You will need an escort if you have been given a sedative pre-medication.
The easiest way to remove a tooth is to take just a few minutes, and with all the steps involved, you'll be ready to go home in half an hour.
More demanding tooth extractions can take up to an hour to complete.
In general, recovery from tooth extraction is quick. You can always get clear instructions for home care from your dentist. We will also give you a telephone number to call if you need help with any problems.
- Pain. The extraction spot may ache for two to three days after tooth extraction. After tooth extraction, the pain sometimes radiates to a wider area. You can relieve the pain with painkillers prescribed by your dentist.
- Swelling associated with a surgical extraction. Cheek swelling is not dangerous. It will go down over a few days.
- Food and drinks. Eat soft food in the days following tooth extraction. Avoid eating and drinking hot food for a day after the tooth extraction to prevent bleeding from the extraction cavity.
- Sports and other physical activities should be avoided for the day of the procedure.
- Smoking will slow down the healing of the extraction cavity.
- The extraction cavity heals best when you avoid touching it. Initially, it is a good idea to keep a roll of gauze over the extraction site for about 30 minutes. The healing of the gum after a tooth extraction depends on the person
- Complications are rare, but sometimes they can occur. Contact your dentist if the pain becomes so severe that painkillers do not help, or if the extraction cavity starts to bleed a lot, or if you develop a fever after the procedure and your cheek becomes very swollen.
An extracted tooth always leaves an empty cavity – if it is visible, it is aesthetically unpleasing. Fortunately, a cavity that disturbs the appearance can be replaced immediately with a temporary denture.
Before removing a tooth, your dentist will discuss with you what to do with the empty space in your mouth. Often, a tooth that has been removed is replaced with a dental implant because of a bite or a problem with its appearance:
- For aesthetic reasons, you will probably want to replace the cavity left by the removal of a front tooth. A dental implant is often a good option for this
- Over time, the extraction of a molar can cause the neighbouring teeth to tilt towards the gap and the opposing tooth, the opposing molar, may become overcrowded. The bite will then change. To prevent this, the tooth should be replaced with either an implant or a dental bridge, depending on the situation.
The cost of a tooth extraction depends on the complexity of the procedure. You will always receive an estimate of the price of tooth extraction from your dentist at your planning visit. Browse the price list of Hammas Mehiläinen.
The flexible payment options of Hammas Mehiläinen will protect you if you need a major operation.
The specialist interviewed for the article was our dental specialist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon Kimmo Vähätalo.
Root canal treatment can often save a tooth that is infected to the core. Tooth extraction may be a better option if:
- the tooth is cracked to the root
- the tooth is so badly decayed or chipped that it can no longer be repaired by filling
- previous root canal treatment has failed - extraction of a root canal-treated tooth is a better option
Dental implants can sometimes be placed at the time of tooth extraction. Usually, however, it is possible after about four months of tooth extraction, when the extraction cavity has been filled with bone.
Pain after tooth extraction can last for a few days. Painkillers are effective in relieving the pain.
Your dentist will give you easy-to-follow home care instructions after the tooth extraction. Follow them and, if you have any questions, contact your dentist.
After a tooth extraction, you can only eat normally once the extraction location has healed. Usually, it will heal within a few days.
After a tooth extraction, it is a good idea to avoid hot food and drinks for a day. Food should be soft, but you can certainly eat something other than liquid food. Be careful when biting with the extraction spot at first when you eat.
More than one tooth can be removed at a time. If there are many teeth to be removed, they can also be removed in two visits. If a large number of teeth are removed at once, the procedure is usually done under anaesthetic.
The healing time depends on the person and on the extent of the procedure. The extraction spot usually heals in less than a week so that it will not cause any problems, such as when eating.
After tooth extraction, it is important that the extraction cavity is filled with a blood clot. If the blood clot remains scant and does not remain in the cavity, the cavity will heal more slowly and painfully.
Symptoms of a dry cavity include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath and severe pain around the fourth day after the procedure. Contact your dentist if you suspect that the extraction cavity is dry. In addition to painkillers, pain can be treated locally.
There is no need to worry about tooth extraction, as the procedure and recovery are usually straightforward.
