Tooth extraction may be necessary when a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond repair.

When you book in with Aurora Dental, we will exhaust all options before recommending a tooth extraction. That’s why our highly skilled dentists will only extract a tooth when a dental problem cannot be remedied by another method. 

Why might I require tooth extraction?

While often a last resort for dentists, tooth extraction is sometimes required to remedy pain and to reduce the possibility of further oral health problems such as infection. Tooth extraction is usually advised when the tooth in question has suffered too much trauma or decay to be fixed by any other means. 

Tooth extraction may also be used in cases where a person’s mouth is ‘crowded’ with too many teeth. This might also be the most suitable option for those who are immunocompromised and would, therefore, be seriously affected by the presence of an infection. 

What does tooth extraction involve?

Your dentist will first numb the affected area with a local anaesthetic to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. The damaged tooth will then be carefully removed from its socket. The procedure is generally a short one, with the treatment taking just a few minutes.

In instances where the damaged tooth has broken below the gum line, surgical extraction may be required. This is a slightly longer procedure, involving a small incision in the gum to aid removal.

Tooth extraction procedures should only ever be performed by highly trained dentists who are sensitive to any special requirements you may have. 

Does it hurt to have a tooth extracted?

In short, no. Dentists routinely use local anaesthetic for tooth extraction to optimise the patient’s comfort throughout treatment. Following the procedure, there may be a small amount of discomfort, which can be minimised with regular painkillers such as paracetamol.

Tooth extraction aftercare 

After you’ve had a tooth extracted, you will need to adhere to a strict aftercare routine to reduce the chances of complications and increase the speed of your recovery. This can include doing things such as eating soft foods and brushing your teeth as normal, whilst being careful to avoid the area of extraction. A full aftercare regime will be discussed with you following your treatment.