Talk to our Toorak team about your treatment options.
Gentle & professional tooth extraction in Toorak
Good oral hygiene is a must, because the loss of a single tooth can have major impact on overall oral health and appearance. Although our Toorak dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still some occasions when a tooth needs to be extracted.
Tooth extraction in Toorak: what to expect
At Toorak Village Dental Care, our first aim is always to keep your natural teeth, but sometimes removing a tooth is the healthiest option. Before a tooth extraction in Toorak, your dentist will examine the tooth, take x-rays, talk through your medical history and explain why removal is being recommended and what the alternatives are.
For a tooth extraction in Toorak, the area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and we will give you clear aftercare instructions, including what to eat and drink and how to keep the area clean while it heals. Some tenderness afterwards is common and your dentist will explain how to manage it. If you're in pain, read about our emergency dentist service.
Why a tooth may need to be removed
✓Extensive decay or a crack
Too extensive to repair with a filling, crown or root canal treatment.
✓Advanced gum disease
Gum disease that has loosened the tooth.
✓Infection
An infection that can't be treated another way.
✓A broken tooth or root
✓Crowding
Sometimes as part of orthodontic treatment.
✓Baby teeth
Baby teeth that haven't fallen out on time.
Related: wisdom teeth.
Tooth extraction Toorak: what happens on the day
Assessment
We examine the tooth, take an x-ray to see the roots and surrounding bone, and review your medical history and medications.
Numbing
Local anaesthetic numbs the area. You'll feel pressure but shouldn't feel sharp pain. If you feel anxious, we can talk through options to help.
Removing the tooth
We gently loosen the tooth and remove it. Some teeth, such as those with curved roots, may need to be removed in sections.
Aftercare
After your tooth extraction in Toorak, we place gauze for you to bite on and go through your aftercare instructions before you leave.
Replacing a missing tooth
If the tooth you've lost is visible or important for chewing, it's worth thinking about replacing it. A gap can let neighbouring teeth drift and change your bite over time. Options include a dental implant, a bridge or a denture. We'll explain the pros, cons and costs of each.
Cost of extractions
The cost of a tooth extraction in Toorak depends on how complex it is and whether it's a simple or surgical removal. We'll give you a quote before treatment.
We accept all private health funds, and you can claim on the spot with HICAPS. Payment plans through HUMM and DentiCare are available for approved applicants.
Recovering after tooth removal
For the first 24 hours after your tooth extraction in Toorak:
- bite on gauze to control bleeding
- don't rinse, spit forcefully, smoke or drink through a straw, as this can dislodge the blood clot
- eat soft, cool foods and chew on the other side
- use pain relief as advised, and a cold pack on your cheek for short periods
From the next day, rinse gently with warm salty water after meals. Some swelling and tenderness are normal for a few days. Call us if you have heavy bleeding, increasing pain after day two or three, a bad taste or fever, as these can be signs of a dry socket or infection.
Risks of tooth extraction
Possible risks of extraction include bleeding, infection, dry socket, damage to nearby teeth or fillings, and, for some lower back teeth, temporary or rarely permanent numbness from nerve injury. We'll explain the risks that apply to you before your tooth extraction in Toorak. For general information, see healthdirect, tooth extraction.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
More about tooth extraction in Toorak
Simple and surgical extractions
A simple extraction is used when a tooth can be seen in the mouth and can be loosened and removed in one piece. A surgical extraction may be needed when a tooth has broken at the gum line, has curved or long roots, or hasn't fully come through. This can involve a small cut in the gum, removing some bone or taking the tooth out in sections, followed by stitches.
Before a tooth extraction in Toorak, we'll explain which type you're likely to need and why. If the tooth looks complex on the x-ray, we may talk to you about a referral to an oral surgeon.
Telling us about your health
Some medications and conditions affect bleeding and healing after tooth removal. Please tell us if you take blood thinners, medications for osteoporosis or cancer, or if you have diabetes, a heart condition or a bleeding disorder. Don't stop any medication without talking to your doctor first. We may ask your doctor for advice before we go ahead.
Before your appointment
Eat a light meal beforehand unless we've told you otherwise, as you may not feel like eating straight after. Wear comfortable clothes, and plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. If you're feeling anxious, let us know when you book so we can allow extra time and explain each step as we go.
What a dry socket is
After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket and protects the bone while it heals. If the clot breaks down or is dislodged too early, the bone can be exposed. This is called a dry socket. It usually causes a throbbing pain a few days after the extraction, sometimes with a bad taste. Smoking makes it more likely. If you think you have a dry socket, call us, as a dressing can help ease the pain.
Extractions for children
Extractions for children are usually simpler than for adults. Sometimes a baby tooth needs to be removed, for example if it's badly decayed, infected or hasn't fallen out on time and is blocking an adult tooth. We'll explain the reasons to you and your child in simple terms and only recommend removal when other options aren't suitable. Your child can sit on your lap or hold your hand during the visit.
Thinking about the gap
Some gaps, such as a missing back molar, may not need to be filled, while others affect chewing or appearance. Options to replace a tooth include a dental implant, a bridge or a denture, and each has different costs, time frames and care needs. You don't need to decide on the day, and we'll explain the options when you're ready.
To arrange a tooth extraction in Toorak, call (03) 9827 5633 or book online. Our clinic is at 137 Canterbury Road, Toorak VIC 3142. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, and we'll explain the risks that apply to you before you decide.
Tooth extraction FAQs
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