Tooth Extractions – St. Albans, VT

Why Do Some Teeth Need to Be Extracted?

Our dentists usually recommend removing a tooth if it has a large cavity that is starting to spread to the surrounding teeth, or if the enamel is so broken that it cannot be trusted to support a restoration. An extraction might also be necessary to make room for a new denture or because gum disease has weakened the bone needed to support a tooth. Lastly, teeth might need to be removed if they are overcrowded or impacted (trapped underneath the gum tissue).

Rest assured that if your emergency dentist in St. Albans determines that a tooth extraction is necessary, you’ll be comfortable every step of the way.

What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction

Once a patient has been numbed with local anesthetic, their dentist will gently rock the tooth back and forth until it slips out on its own. Afterward, the treatment area is dressed with gauze, and the patient should be back to feeling normal in less than a week. If necessary, our dentists can help a patient quickly replace any extracted teeth as well.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Also known as the third molars, the wisdom teeth are located in the very back of your mouth and are the last to come in. They usually erupt when a person is between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people don’t have room in their mouths for wisdom teeth, so they can result in complications like pushing against other teeth, infections, pain, and impaction.

If the wisdom teeth are impacted, removing them may be a bit more complex than extracting other teeth. After your mouth is numb, we may need to break the tooth into smaller pieces and remove them one by one.

Because the wisdom teeth are at the very ends of the arches and are not necessary for chewing, we can usually remove them with no adverse side effects.

Caring for Your Mouth After a Tooth Extraction

Once the tooth extraction is complete, our dentists will send you home with post-op instructions to ensure a speedy recovery. They may include tips like:

• Avoid smoking, blowing your nose, spitting forcefully, or drinking through a straw. This could cause the blood clot forming over the extraction site to become dislodged. Known as dry socket, this condition is often painful and delays healing.
• Maintain a soft food diet for a few days.
• Do not consume any hot/spicy food or drinks.
• Be extra careful when brushing and flossing near the extraction site.
• Take all medication exactly as prescribed.
• Avoid strenuous physical exercise until you are fully healed.
• Call us right away if your discomfort gets worse instead of better after two or three days.

Tooth Extraction FAQs

Preparing for a tooth extraction in St. Albans? If you’re like most people, you have many questions. While you may be feeling uneasy or unsure about your upcoming procedure, the team at St. Albans Dental is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and make sure your tooth removal is safe, swift, and 100% successful. Below you will find some common questions we’ve received over the years. If you have any additional questions, or you would like to make an appointment, call our office today.

Will it hurt to have a tooth extracted?

This is one of the most popular questions we receive from individuals preparing to undergo a tooth extraction. The truth is that you can expect to have a comfortable and pain-free procedure thanks to the local anesthetic we administer from the start. This will ensure your tooth and the area around it is completely numb.

Why can’t I smoke after having a tooth extracted?

There are many reasons why smoking is strongly discouraged after having a tooth extracted. Not only can it cause the blood clot at the extraction site to become dislodged, resulting in a dry socket, but it can also raise your blood pressure, make you feel dizzy, put you at risk for an infection, and prolong your recovery at home.

Will I need to discuss tooth replacement options after an extraction?

Unless you are having your wisdom teeth extracted, yes, you will need to talk to a dentist in St. Albans about undergoing tooth replacement. Whether you choose a fixed bridge, partial denture, or dental implants is up to you, but if you want to continue stimulating your jawbone and prevent many of the most common problems associated with tooth loss (i.e., additional bone and tooth loss, facial collapse, weakened jawbone, shifting teeth), you will find that dental implants are the way to go. During an appointment with a member of our team, you can discuss the advantages of each type of tooth replacement to determine which one is right for you.

Can I expect my dental insurance to cover the cost of a tooth extraction?

When it comes to paying for your tooth extraction, you’ll need to look closely at your dental insurance policy. While many companies offer to cover a portion of the overall cost, it is largely based on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much of your annual maximum remains available.

Our team will be happy to work on your behalf to help you get the answers you need as well as file any necessary paperwork and claims. If you need assistance paying the remaining balance after filing with insurance or you are uninsured, we can help you apply for CareCredit, which is a third-party financier that offers low and no interest payment plans to eligible individuals.