Having a tooth removed can be a scary prospect, but it’s often the best decision for long term oral health.
The most common extractions we perform are wisdom teeth extractions. For most adults, wisdom teeth come through when you’re around 18-25 and most often need removing due to crowding. Not having your wisdom teeth removed can lead to issues later. We also offer IV sedation for most wisdom teeth removals to make the process as stress-free as possible.
We also do extractions for other teeth that are crowding the mouth or have deteriorated or been damaged. Although the preference is to repair a tooth if possible, sometimes the better long term option is to remove the tooth completely so it cannot cause further issues. We usually recommend replacing the tooth with a dental implant in these cases as well.
Most extractions are straightforward and can be performed quickly and easily. But sometimes complications will require a more involved process to properly remove the tooth without causing damage. At your consultation, we’ll take radiographs and take discuss what kind of removal you may require. To ensure you’re comfortable with the recommended procedure, we’ll also discuss:
Once sedated, you will still be awake but not aware of what’s happening. However, IV does stand for intravenous, which means we insert a tiny tube into a vein in your arm so we can administer the sedative. It can be a little painful when we insert the IV so if this is something that worries you, be sure to let us know at the consultation so we can make the process as easy and as comfortable as possible.
At your consultation, we will also provide you with a prescription and instructions for pain management following your procedure.
Some people like to be proactive and have potentially troublesome teeth removed before they can cause trouble. It can be easier to remove them younger as your bone is more flexible and faster to heal. Some dentists also recommend having them removed if you’re about to go travelling for a long time in countries where dental care is expensive, risky or hard to get.
As with any medical procedure, there is always some risk. Each procedure is unique, but we are here to help you understand what risks are involved in your procedure and how we can manage, reduce or avoid them.
