When Does a Tooth Need Extraction?
A tooth needs extraction when it cannot be restored safely or predictably, or when keeping it causes harm. The American Dental Association names disease, trauma and crowding as the usual reasons.
Reasons your dentist recommends removal:
- ✓Severe decay that leaves too little tooth to repair
- ✓Deep infection that cannot be cleared
- ✓A tooth broken or cracked below the gumline
- ✓Advanced gum disease that has left the tooth loose
- ✓Failed dental work with no sound tooth left
- ✓A dental injury that split the tooth
- ✓Crowding, when your treatment plan for orthodontics needs space
- ✓An impacted tooth, such as a wisdom tooth, trapped under the gum or against another tooth
- ✓A tooth that cannot support a filling, crown or root canal
Extraction is not always the first option. Before recommending removal your dentist looks at saving the tooth with root canal therapy, a crown or a filling. Our wisdom teeth removal page explains when a wisdom tooth is watched, removed or referred.
Signs You Should Book an Extraction Assessment
Book a visit if a tooth hurts, has broken or shows signs of infection. Call and we will arrange the soonest possible visit.
Signs include:
- ✓Severe toothache
- ✓Pain when biting
- ✓Swelling near a tooth
- ✓Broken tooth near the gumline
- ✓Loose adult tooth
- ✓Bad taste or drainage near a tooth
- ✓Tooth darkening after injury
- ✓Repeated infection around the same tooth
- ✓Large cavity or broken filling
- ✓Tooth pain that does not settle
Trouble breathing or swallowing is a 911 emergency. Swelling spreading toward your eye or neck needs a hospital emergency department now. For first aid until your visit, see our emergency dentistry page.
What Happens Before a Tooth Extraction?
Dental Exam
The dentist checks the tooth and gums, the teeth beside it and any visible damage.
X-Rays When Needed
X-rays show the root shape and bone support. They also show the tooth's position and signs of infection.
Medical History Review
Your dentist reviews your medications, allergies, medical conditions and past dental treatment. Bring a list of your medicines and supplements. Some of them change how your blood clots. Do not stop a prescribed medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Treatment Options
If the tooth can be repaired, your dentist explains how. If extraction is recommended, the reason is explained clearly.
Cost and Coverage Review
Our team reviews estimated costs and coverage before treatment begins.
Simple Extraction vs Surgical Extraction
A simple extraction lifts out a tooth you can see above the gum. It comes out whole. A surgical extraction is needed when the tooth is broken at the gumline, hard to reach or impacted.
In a surgical extraction the gum is opened to reach the tooth. Some teeth are cut into two or three pieces to come out. The gum is then closed with dissolving stitches if needed. Those steps follow the NHS description of wisdom tooth removal.
If the case is complex, referral to an oral surgeon may be recommended. Our oral surgery page explains how that assessment works.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Your dentist will give specific instructions after treatment. Those come first, above all if you take a blood thinner.
After the first full day, rinse gently with warm water 4 or 5 times a day. Your dentist may suggest adding half a teaspoon of salt. Those steps come from the Canadian Dental Association and an NHS aftercare leaflet. The CDA advises avoiding alcohol and tobacco for 2 weeks.
- ✓Keep firm pressure on the gauze pad for one hour, soggy or not
- ✓Rest with your head propped up
- ✓Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours
- ✓Skip straws and hot drinks
- ✓Do not smoke or drink alcohol
- ✓Eat soft food and chew on the other side
- ✓Brush your other teeth gently and keep the brush away from the socket
Soreness lasts about 3 to 5 days after a simple extraction. Swelling can last 5 to 7 days and bruising up to 10 days, according to the CDA. After wisdom tooth removal the NHS expects pain and swelling for up to 2 weeks.
Pain that gets worse in the days after removal, instead of easing, is the warning sign. Dry socket means the clot protecting the socket has come loose, dissolved or never formed. Bone and nerve endings are then exposed. Mayo Clinic puts the start of the pain at 1 to 3 days after removal.
Smoking and poor care of the site raise the risk. If the pain is new or climbing, call your dentist. Over-the-counter pain relief is seldom enough. Your dentist can treat it.
Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Go to a hospital emergency department for a serious facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding or severe swelling.
Cost and CDCP Coverage
In Ontario a simple extraction runs about $150 to $300. A surgical extraction runs about $250 to $650.
These are general market ranges from Ontario and Canadian fee sources. They are not Grimsby Lake Dental's fees. Your own number is the estimate we give you before treatment starts.
The cost depends on the tooth, X-rays, complexity and appointment type. Sedation, a referral and replacing the tooth are separate costs.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers tooth extractions for eligible patients within its rules. Grimsby Lake Dental is a CDCP provider and bills the plan directly for eligible treatments. Co-payments and plan limits are on our CDCP page.
Bring your CDCP, private insurance or benefit details so our team can review estimated costs before treatment begins.
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Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a tooth need to be extracted?+
When it is too damaged or infected to restore. Crowding and an impacted tooth are other reasons.
Can a tooth be saved instead of extracted?+
Yes, if enough healthy tooth and bone support are left. A filling, crown or root canal saves many damaged teeth. Your dentist explains whether saving yours is realistic.
Is tooth extraction painful?+
The area is frozen first. You feel pressure during removal. Soreness after the freezing wears off is normal and eases over a few days.
What should I avoid after extraction?+
Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours. Skip straws, smoking and hot drinks. Eat soft food on the other side.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?+
About 3 to 5 days of soreness for a simple extraction. Pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal can last up to 2 weeks.
Does CDCP cover tooth extractions?+
Yes, for eligible patients within the plan's rules. See our CDCP page for co-payments and limits.
Book a Tooth Extraction Assessment in Grimsby
Have a painful, broken, infected or loose tooth? Book a tooth extraction assessment at Grimsby Lake Dental.