When and Why do we Need Emergency Tooth Extraction

Visiting an emergency dentist becomes necessary when you are facing a teeth crisis. It can be a fractured tooth, consistent bleeding, swelling, etc., or anything that leads to unbearable pain that needs immediate rectification. 

If you are confused about when to visit an emergency dentist or schedule a regular appointment with your dentist, you need to read this article. People may refrain from visiting an emergency dentist because “Emergency” can be misleading or strike fear. 

But the work of an emergency dentist is similar to a doctor working in the ER of a hospital. An emergency dentist works to save the teeth and minimise the damage done to the teeth. Sometimes, the dentist may also have to go for an emergency tooth extraction, and the situations leading to it are explained below. 

When Do We Need Emergency Tooth Extraction?

  • Fractured Tooth

Teeth get fractured due to a number of factors. Sometimes it can be an accident; others can be due to the energy absorbed by the teeth, which leads to a fracture. 

Every time we take a bite or chew on the food, the teeth absorb energy. When the teeth don’t fit with each other, the force from the bite can exert unwanted pressure on the lower molars. 

In addition to this, there is a higher risk of tooth fracture when you have recently had a root canal or filling. In the worst case, a fractured tooth beneath the gum line needs to be extracted at the earliest. 

  • Tooth Decay

When tooth decay reaches a point that repairing it is impossible, an emergency dentist will go for tooth extraction. In tooth decay, bacteria infiltrate the area, invade the pulp region, and cause an infection. 

Generally, a root canal is performed to treat decay, but in case of a severe infection, the tooth is extracted to treat the same and prevent the spread of infection. 

  • To Treat a Periodontal Disease

Periodontal diseases include infections in the gums, periodontal ligaments, and other teeth structures like alveolar bone etc. The early stages of these diseases and conditions can be diagnosed as gingivitis, but as the infection gets more severe, it can start to affect other internal parts of the mouth. 

Once the alveolar bone or periodontal ligaments start getting affected, tooth extraction is the most viable option to control the damage and begin the recovery process. 

You can easily prevent periodontal disease by regular brushing and ensuring that no plaque builds up on the teeth and gums. An emergency dentist will focus on preventing further damage by extracting the infected tooth. In contrast, a non-emergency dentist will focus on restoring the teeth health and other supporting structures. 

  • Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are the ones that fail to come out fully or erupt from beneath the gums due to a blockage. Primarily, this is the case with the wisdom tooth. 

An emergency will go for an emergency tooth extraction to prevent the impacted tooth from damaging the other teeth. Plus, as the impacted tooth is extracted, it lowers the risk of infection in the gums and overcrowding. 

Overcrowding is another reason for tooth extraction (will be discussed in the next point). Impacted wisdom tooth can also be a reason for immense and consistent pain, which is another reason for visiting an emergency dentist and getting it removed. 

In some cases, impacted teeth may not develop immediate problems, but they are more prone to getting an infection, gum disease, and decaying compared to other teeth. 

  • Overcrowding

Don’t we say that you eat only as much as you can digest? Well, the same goes for your teeth; you shouldn’t have more teeth in your mouth than you can fit. The condition is called overcrowding or crowding teeth, and extraction is necessary. 

If the extra teeth are not removed or treated, it can lead to gum infection and damage the jaws. It can also lead to crooked teeth as the extra tooth will fit in the space it gets and move the other teeth out of their designated place. 

Misaligned teeth have their own set of issues and problems. So, it is better to get extra teeth extracted and ensure effective results; you must visit an emergency dentist. 

Types of Teeth Extraction Procedures

The type of tooth extraction applicable depends on the condition, tooth’s shape, size, and location in the mouth. The dentist will classify the extraction process into two types;

  • Simple
  • Surgical

Simple:  Simple tooth extraction procedure is generally executed with local anaesthesia. Mostly, the easily accessible teeth are extracted with this procedure. In other words, the extraction process where the dentist doesn’t have to follow invasive procedures and access the area below the gum line is called a simple extraction. 

Surgical: Surgical tooth extraction is more complicated than a simple extraction. Under this procedure, the dentist has to penetrate the gum tissue, bone, or both and perform the procedure as required. If required, the dentist can also remove the tooth after breaking it down into pieces. 

Is Emergency Tooth Extraction Expensive? 

Yes, visiting an emergency dentist is an expensive procedure. There are specialised dentist clinics offering emergency services. Plus, not every insurance plan covers emergency dental procedures. 

The NHS emergency dental plan covers treatment for primary care required by the patient, pain relief, and temporary filling procedures costing £23.80. 

How Do I Know It’s an Emergency Situation?

Alongside the reasons given above, look for these symptoms or conditions to decide when to visit an emergency dentist. 

  • Excessive Pain: If you are living with unbearable and consistent pain, it’s a good enough reason to visit the dentist. 

 

  • Bleeding: Bleeding gums and teeth is another reason to visit an emergency dentist. Bleeding is usually the result of fracture, loose tooth, injured jaw, infections, gum, etc. 

 

  • Swelling: Lastly, swelling in the gums is also a sign that you must visit an emergency dentist and not wait until you have got an appointment for a regular dental checkup. 

Conclusion

Visiting an emergency dentist becomes necessary when you want to get relief from pain, bleeding, and swelling. An emergency dentist will always try to save what they can and get rid of the underlying problem by following minimally invasive procedures. 

Tooth extraction, like other complex dental procedures, involves some level of discomfort and pain. Planned tooth extraction involves careful planning and assessing the situation, but an emergency procedure aims to reduce the pain, stop the bleeding, and save the teeth.