Dental Services

Tooth Extraction

If you need a tooth extracted you may feel nervous. There’s no need to worry. Tooth extraction is actually quite common.

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from your jaw bone. Tooth extraction usually occurs when there’s too much damage to a tooth and can't be repaired. Decay, infection and crowding are also reasons that a dentist will extract a tooth.

Tooth extraction is often performed by a dentist but in some cases you will need to see an oral surgeon to have a tooth or teeth extracted. Don’t stress. It's usually a quick procedure that's certainly different to getting a filling - but probably not as bad as you have imagined.

What is a tooth extraction?

When you have a damaged tooth, your dentist will aim to fix it and save the tooth by using dental treatments such as  root canals, crowns or fillings. If the tooth is too badly damaged then extraction is needed.

Only a dentist or specialist will be able to tell if a tooth needs to be extracted. At the first appointment they will examine and assess your teeth and mouth and recommend the best treatment option. Good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits can often prevent the need for tooth extraction.

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Need to know

Appointments

  • At least 2 appointments
  • At the first consultation visit your dentist will examine your teeth
  • At the second visit you will have your tooth or teeth extracted. This could be at a dentist practice or at an oral surgery clinic
  • Further appointments may be needed if you have any problems or issues with your extraction

How long it takes

  • The consultation will usually take around 30 minutes
  • The extraction will usually take around 30 to 60 minutes

You may be asked about

  • Your dental history and medical history
  • Medications you are currently taking
  • Your normal oral care routine at home?

Before your appointment

For the consultation you won't need any special preparation, but you should have knowledge to share about your dental and medical history.

Before surgery with intravenous or IV sedation you should:

  • Take pre-operative medication at the time prescribed
  • Have someone accompany you and drive you to your appointment
  • Follow the pre-sedation fasting protocol given to you by your dentist
  • Wear something warm and comfortable with loose sleeves

Before having general anaesthetic at the hospital you should:

  • Arrange transportation to and from the hospital
  • Be at the hospital at the time allocated to you
  • Follow the pre-anaesthesia protocol given to you

After your appointment

If you have had any wisdom teeth extraction procedure done:

  • Use ice packs as much as possible to prevent swelling during the first 48 hours
  • Do not rinse your mouth out on the day of the surgery as it will cause bleeding
  • Do not smoke for as long as possible after surgery
  • Be careful with hot food and drinks
  • Eat a soft food diet
  • On the day after the removal, rinse three times a day after meals with warm, salty water
  • Use Savacol mouthwash from the following day, morning and night

If you’ve had surgery under sedation or general anaesthetic, you must:

  • Be accompanied home
  • Rest for around 2 to 4 hours following surgery
  • Not drive or operate machinery until the following day

Quick tip

It’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort following wisdom teeth removal. We usually recommend taking a couple of days off work to rest. It’s also normal to experience some bleeding or slight oozing from the wounds after the extraction. Your dentist will give you gauze to help control the bleeding. You will need to bite down with gentle pressure for around 20 to 30 minutes if this happens.

Have questions?

The cost of getting a tooth extracted will depend on your situation and how difficult the procedure is. In some cases a dentist will be able to extract your tooth at a dental practice. However, sometimes you may need to get the tooth or teeth extracted by an oral surgeon under sedation. Getting teeth removed under sedation is more expensive. At your consultation appointment, your dentist or specialist will let you know how much you can expect to pay for extraction.

After a tooth extraction, we recommend eating soft and mostly cold foods to protect the healing area. Good options include yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup, and smoothies (without a straw). Avoid hot, spicy, hard or acidic foods, as well as alcohol and fizzy drinks as these can irritate the site or dislodge the blood clot. After a few days, as healing progresses, you can slowly add in soft foods like pasta, rice and steamed vegetables.

When you get a tooth or teeth extracted your dentist will make sure you feel as comfortable as possible during the procedure. The dentist will usually numb the area getting treated first so that you won’t feel any pain. If you are being sedated for oral surgery, this will prevent you from experiencing any pain and will help you feel relaxed during the surgery. You may experience a little discomfort but the procedure is usually painless.

Similar to most dental problems, tooth extraction can usually be prevented with regular dentist visits and good oral hygiene. However, there are some situations where tooth extraction can’t be prevented such as wisdom tooth removal, extraction for orthodontic work and for extraction on people getting radiation or using cancer medications.

Recovery time after a tooth extraction can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure. In general, extractions performed at a dental clinic tend to heal more quickly than those done by an oral surgeon under sedation. Most people can expect to feel significantly better within about a week.

To support proper healing, it’s important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions. These typically include rinsing with salt water starting the day after the procedure, using Savacol mouthwash, avoiding smoking, and steering clear of very hot or cold foods. Your dentist may also prescribe medication to help manage pain or prevent infection during the healing process.