Emergency Tooth Extraction

There are many different causes of toothaches. If you are in severe pain, you may be wondering:

• Am I in need of emergency dental care?
• Or should I schedule an appointment with my regular dentist? 

In this article, we will list common reasons for emergency tooth extractions. If you need an urgent dental appointment, call an emergency dentist in your area.

The dental office or referral specialist can help you determine if your case is an emergency or not.

Dental Emergency Causes

The most common reasons for emergency tooth extractions are:

Trauma

Accidents and injuries are common sources of emergency dental problems.

Typical causes of dental trauma include:

• Sports injuries
• Car, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents
• Biting down on hard foods
• Falls

These injuries often result in minor problems such as chipped or cracked teeth.

However, more severe trauma may require an emergency tooth extraction, especially if it causes serious pain. 

Your dentist will take an x-ray of the affected area. They will decide what to do based on the condition and location of the tooth and its surrounding area.

They may try other treatment options to save your tooth. But if the fracture is quite severe or there is an infection, they will probably perform an emergency tooth extraction.

Infections 

Infections are another common cause of emergency oral health procedures. They occur when bacteria get inside the tooth or gum tissue.

Common causes of dental infections include:

• Cavities and tooth decay
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Gum disease (periodontal disease) 
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Failed root canal therapy or restorations 
• Dental procedures such as root canals
• Ill-fitting dental apparatus such as dentures

Symptoms of oral infections include:

• Severe, throbbing tooth pain that may spread to the ear, jawbone, or neck
• Fever
• Swelling of the face or cheek (cellulitis)
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Malodor
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Tooth Decay

Decay is caused by untreated plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. It causes the crown, or top of the tooth, to demineralize and break down, creating a hole.

This makes the tooth soft and porous, which allows bacteria, food, and liquids to enter the tooth and cause pain. Tooth decay may present as brown or black spots. Sometimes it is only visible via x-rays.

Symptoms That May Indicate a Dental Emergency

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need emergency dental care.

Contact help immediately if you experience:

• Severe sensitivity or pain in your teeth or gums
• Swelling of the cheek, throat, or eye
• Loose teeth
• White fluid or pus in your mouth
• Discoloration or darkening of your teeth

What to Expect at an Emergency Tooth Extraction

There are three types of emergency tooth extractions:

• Simple extractions — can be performed if the tooth is visible above the gum line and can be grasped and removed by forceps.
• Surgical extractions — are performed when part of the gum tissue or bone surrounding the tooth needs to be removed. The tooth may need to be surgically sectioned to remove.
• Wisdom tooth extractions — are performed when wisdom teeth are impacted or could potentially cause other dental health problems. They are usually removed via surgical extractions.

The procedure will vary depending on the condition and location of the affected teeth, your overall health, and the oral surgeon’s practice.

But most emergency tooth extractions will follow the same steps:

1. Anesthetic — a local anesthetic will be injected into the area surrounding your teeth. In some cases, especially for surgical extractions or if the patient suffers from dental anxiety. Conscious sedation via drugs taken orally, intravenously (IV), or inhaled (nitrous oxide) may be used to put the patient under.
2. Wait time — this will take a few minutes to work, during which the tooth and surrounding area will become numb.
3. Widen the tooth socket — the dentist will use tools (forceps or elevators) to apply pressure to the tooth from different directions. This will open up the tooth socket and make it easier to remove, and help avoid fracturing the tooth. 
4. Remove the tooth — The dentist will then use the forceps to grasp the tooth and rock it back and forth. They may also rotate the tooth to separate it from its ligaments. 
5. Stitches — Once the tooth is removed, the doctor may place one or two stitches to close the wound.
6. Recovery — Depending on the procedure, you may be prescribed pain medication. However, over-the-counter medication is usually enough to manage pain.

How Much Does an Emergency Tooth Extraction Cost?

The cost of an emergency tooth extraction will vary depending on the location of the tooth, type of tooth extraction, location of your dentist, and your dental insurance plan.

Typical costs are: