We provide tooth extraction procedures from our clinic in St Albans so patients can experience improved oral health.
Get in touch to book a tooth extraction consultation to discuss your dental concerns.
Why would a tooth need to be removed?
When a tooth is beyond repair with a crown or filling, extraction may be the most suitable option. Teeth lacking adequate bone support due to periodontal disease might also require removal, as well as abscessed teeth that do not respond to root canal treatment.
Is a tooth extraction painful?
During the extraction of your tooth, you should not experience any pain. However, it is normal to sense some pulling or pressure in the area where the dentist is working.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Healing time after a tooth extraction can vary significantly from person to person; it may take from 7-10 days, up to 1-2 weeks, or even 3-4 weeks in some cases. It is crucial to adhere to your dentist’s aftercare advice, maintain good oral hygiene, and contact us urgently if you experience severe pain or excessive bleeding.
Should replace your tooth after extraction?
It is generally highly recommended to replace teeth after extraction to prevent nearby teeth from shifting into the open space, which can create gaps elsewhere. Additionally, replacing extracted teeth stops opposing teeth from moving up or down into the empty space, maintaining proper dental alignment. We offer a range of replacement teeth solutions including dental implants, dentures and dental bridges.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist.
The dentist will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how – or if – your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be. Extractions can also be done under sedation.
What to do after your tooth extraction
Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers:
- For the first 24 hours, try to avoid eating hot food, don’t smoke, don’t drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed.
- Don’t rinse your mouth for 24 hours after extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water – half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough.
- Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
- You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket – don’t worry, this is perfectly normal.
- There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers – aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol will be fine.
- If you feel pain a few days after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down leaving an empty hole in the gum. This is called a ‘dry socket’ and will need to be looked at by your dentist. Simply go back and the dentist will pack the wound to ease your discomfort.
Tooth Extraction Gauze
Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed – if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue).
- Roll it into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm).
- Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky.
- Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist
How much does a tooth extraction cost in St Albans?
A simple tooth extraction costs £150, whereas more complex extractions start from £250. During your consultation our expert dentist will determine the type of extraction required.