Why would I need my teeth taking out?
Unfortunately if a tooth is very badly broken down or severely infected then it may well require an extraction.
Where possible we would look at repairing your tooth with a crown or a filling, but it some cases a tooth will need removing.
What happens during a tooth extraction?
When you have a tooth out, the exact procedure will depend on the condition and position of the tooth to be extracted. This will be discussed in more detail by your dentist.
We advise you to eat prior to your appointment as we will use local anaesthetic to numb the area to allow us to remove the tooth painlessly.
Most extraction appointments will take around half an hour. The procedure itself will only take a few minutes but we allow plenty of time to make sure the area is suitably numb from the anaesthetic before we begin. We also allow time afterwards to make sure the socket has stopped bleeding before you leave.
What happens after a tooth extraction?
Each extraction procedure needs to be assessed individually, your dentist will be able to advise you on what level of discomfort you may expect following your extraction and how best to manage this.
Following an extraction you may experience pain, discomfort, bleeding and soreness in the mouth. It may be advisable to take a painkiller before your local anaesthetic wears off.
We recommend that you do not eat for at least a couple of hours after the procedure.
Once the anaesthetic wears off you can eat normally (although it may be wise to have softish food) and brush your remaining teeth gently but thoroughly.
If you are a smoker, you should avoid smoking for the rest of the day and minimise the amount you smoke for the following 48 hours. Smoking after an extraction significantly increases the chances of developing a painful ‘dry socket’ infection.
Avoid drinking anything too hot, excessive amounts of alcohol, or significant physical exercise for the rest of the day as all of these things can cause the socket to start bleeding.
If possible, try not to rinse your mouth for the remainder of the day after your extraction. This is because a blood clot will form within the socket and rinsing may dislodge it and cause the socket to start to bleed again.
If you do experience bleeding, place a bite pack (which will be provided for you to take home), over the socket and bite hard or apply pressure with your finger. Be patient and do this for about 20 minutes. This should stop the bleeding. If it doesn’t, or if you are at all concerned about the bleeding, telephone the practice on 0115 9283253 and we will help you. If it is out of hours and the practice is shut, there will be a message explaining who to call.
Starting from the day after the tooth has been extracted, rinse your mouth for 30 seconds as often as you can (at least 3 times daily) with a mouth rinse made up by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in hot water. This should be carried out for the following three to 4 days days to help prevent any infection developing within the socket.
How much does a tooth extraction cost?
The cost of your removing your tooth will vary depending on the position of the tooth and the expected time required to perform the treatment.
Your dentist will advise you of this at the time of booking and provide you with a written estimate.
Tooth extractions start from £166 per tooth.
The cost of tooth extraction is included in the Complete Care Plans
For full pricing details, download our latest Price Guides
