A throbbing toothache is among the worst physical pains many of us will experience. There seems to be little chance for relief and to end that feeling you may even welcome tooth extraction. In Ajax, tooth removal is a common solution for teeth that are painful, decayed or broken. When done properly, the process is relatively simple and painless.

However, is it always the best option? With modern dental techniques, you may have options for saving your tooth that could be better for your health, appearance, and wallet. Here we will look at reasons to get tooth extraction, costs, and possible alternatives.  

Reasons to Get Tooth Extraction

There are several common reasons to get tooth extraction. Mostly, tooth extractions in Ajax are required due to a combination of age and tooth decay. Even people who take the best care of their teeth will likely have one of more teeth extracted in their lifetime. 

Fortunately, modern dental practices make the process quick with little chance for complication. There are also multiple options to restore your smile and dental health after an extraction. 

Common reasons to get tooth extraction in Ajax include:

Overcrowding and Wisdom Teeth

This is one type of tooth extraction that is more likely in children and young adults as opposed to older adults. It is most often the result of there not being adequate room for wisdom teeth, also known as your third set of molars. 

These teeth will typically emerge somewhere in one’s late teen years up to mid 20’s. Roughly 85% of people will require wisdom tooth extraction, but some people do have enough room in their mouth to allow normal growth of these teeth. 

Impaction

An impacted tooth is one that has not been able to grow in normally and is, instead angled or sideways. Impacted teeth can either be completely or fully beneath the gumline. Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to experience this problem, but it can occasionally occur with other teeth. 

The maxillary canines, also known as your upper eyeteeth, are the second most likely teeth to be impacted. Unlike your wisdom teeth, the upper eyeteeth are important to the functionality of your teeth. 

Instead of extraction, your dentist is likely to recommend treatments that will help these teeth erupt through the gumline and grow normally. For example, if a child has am impacted adult eyetooth and also still has baby teeth, these baby teeth may be removed prematurely to help ensure the new tooth has room to grow. 

Broken Tooth


If a tooth is broken due to trauma, a dental crown can often be attached to the remaining portion of the tooth. However, if the tooth has broken off too close to the gumline, there will not be an adequate place to attach a crown. In this case, extraction is the best solution to avoid further problems like infection. 

Gum Disease

Gum disease and tooth decay often happen simultaneously but not always. Even if your teeth are healthy, if your gums are not, tooth extraction may be necessary. 

While poor gum health may lead to teeth falling out naturally, a planned extraction may be a healthier option. When the tooth is pulled in a dental office, you can avoid any pain or potential choking hazard that may occur if the tooth is allowed to fall out on its own.

Decay

Tooth decay can often be treated with a filling or root canal, a procedure that removes bacteria from inside a tooth. However, sometimes decay is too severe. At this point, the best option is extraction as it will stop infection from spreading. 

When to get Tooth Extraction vs Saving a Tooth

As covered in the previous section, some dental issues can only be solved with extraction.  However, a root canal may be able to save some decaying teeth. With a root canal procedure, the bacteria and decay are removed from inside the tooth and the inner cavity is then filled with a replacement material. A dental crown which replaces the top of the tooth may also be used in this procedure. 

When the tooth’s structure is compromised beyond repair, extraction is required. The positive to this is that with an extraction you can then choose to have an implant placed. An implant replaces your whole tooth including the tooth’s root.  

While this process is costly and time consuming, the results are permanent, will not compromise the surrounding teeth, and the replacement tooth will not experience decay. With a root canal, you may need a crown replacement in the future and the tooth underneath is still vulnerable to decay. 

In the event that you have a choice between a root canal and extraction there are several factors you should consider. In terms of affordability, an extraction without implant is the least costly option. A root canal would be the second most affordable and an extraction with implant would be the most expensive. An implant would also require the least maintenance and is unlikely to need replacement. A root canal’s initial cost is lower but may need follow up work years later. 

Finally, an extraction without implant is certainly the cheapest and fastest but it can result in future dental problems. Not only can your remaining teeth shift when a tooth is missing, you may also experience bone loss in the jaw. This can lead to more teeth requiring extraction and eventually dentures or bridges will be needed to ensure the functionality of your teeth. 

How to Know you Need Tooth Extraction

The short answer to the question of how to know when you need tooth extraction is that your dentist will be able to tell after a thorough examination. However, if you do not visit a dentist regularly, there are some symptoms that may indicate that something serious is developing. Common signs that you have a dental problem include: 

  • Bad taste in the mouth even after brushing.
  • Breath odor that is also not helped by brushing and flossing.
  • Severe pain in one or more teeth
  • Pain and/or stiffness in the jaw 
  • Pain while chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot and/or cold (this is not always a serious problem but if you find this sensitivity increasing, you should seek dental care). 
  • Inflamed and/or bleeding gums

Ultimately, if you feel that tooth extraction might be required or if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Many tooth problems will have easier and cheaper solutions when the problem is caught earlier. 

Additionally, tooth problems can be linked to other health concerns which makes it essential for you to seek dental care soon and on a regular basis. 

Tooth Extraction Costs in Ajax

For a simple, non-surgical removal you can expect to pay a minimum of $130 though this can reach up to $300.  This will be determined by several factors including the anesthesia used and whether or not the tooth has erupted from the gumline or if it is impacted, meaning it is still beneath the gum line. 

This is most common with wisdom teeth which may also grow sideways if they do not have enough room to grow straight. If this is the case, the extraction is more difficult and the cost will be significantly higher. Surgery will then be needed along with stronger anesthetics, usually a local anesthetic in conjunction with nitrous oxide or “laughing gas.” In this scenario, the cost can quickly double to around $600.

However, note that these are typical costs without insurance. If you have dental coverage through your work, university, or that you have purchased on your own, this will likely be covered. 

Additional Tooth Extraction in Ajax Costs to Consider: While tooth extraction itself will be covered by dental insurance, dental implants, when needed, will not be. Dental implants, while important for your dental health, are considered cosmetic dentistry which insurance rarely pays for. 

Out of pocket costs for a single dental implant can cost thousands. While this should not deter you from receiving a necessary tooth extraction, it is something to keep in mind when planning for your dental care. 

Where to Get Tooth Extraction In Ajax

Finding out that you need one or more teeth extracted can be very difficult. Fortunately, with modern dental practices and caring dental physicians the process is relatively easy and pain free. 

At Singer Dental, we focus on your total health and finding dental solutions that work for you, your budget, and your preferences. If you are experiencing tooth pain or other signs that you may need an extraction, we welcome you to contact our offices via 905-231-4827.