Tooth Removal Assessment

When removing a tooth may be the sensible option

An extraction is usually considered when a tooth cannot be restored predictably, is causing ongoing infection or pain, is severely loose, or has a fracture that leaves too little healthy structure to keep.

Call us if you have pain, swelling, trauma or a badly broken tooth. For a planned extraction discussion, you can also book online.

Tooth Extractions care at Dalkeith Dental

Tooth Removal Assessment appointment details

Useful for

Assessment of damaged, infected, loose, painful, or non-restorable teeth where removal may need to be discussed

Costs

Tooth position, imaging, complexity, appointment needs, and health fund cover affect fees; itemised costs are discussed first

RISKS & LIMITATIONS

Possible risks, limitations, expected maintenance requirements, and the potential need for additional care are discussed where relevant before treatment begins.

Start Here

First ask: can the tooth reasonably be kept?

Before recommending removal, we check the tooth, gums, symptoms, medical history and relevant imaging. If there is a realistic way to keep the tooth, we can discuss it. If extraction is the better option, we will explain why and what the alternatives are.

Start here if

  • 01A tooth is painful, broken, loose, infected, or difficult to chew on.
  • 02You have been told a tooth may not be restorable and want the options explained.
  • 03You have swelling, a draining gum spot, or symptoms that may need urgent assessment.
  • 04You want to compare extraction with root canal treatment, repair, monitoring, or replacement options.

Care Options

Repair, root canal treatment, extraction, or replacement?

The examination clarifies whether extraction is clinically appropriate or whether another treatment or referral needs consideration first.

Retain

When saving the tooth may be possible

A filling, crown, gum care, or root canal treatment may be discussed if the tooth has enough structure and support.

Remove

When extraction may be considered

Removal may be discussed for a non-restorable tooth, severe infection, advanced looseness, deep fracture, or pain source that cannot be managed another way.

Refer

When complexity changes the plan

Difficult roots, medical considerations, surgical complexity, or proximity to important structures may require additional imaging or referral.

Replace

When a missing tooth plan matters

Missing tooth solutions, including bridges, dentures, implant restorations, or leaving a space, may be compared after considering bite, appearance, cleaning, cost, and timing.

Extraction risks and healing vary between patients. Follow aftercare instructions and call the practice if bleeding, swelling, fever, worsening pain, or concerns develop.

Assessment

What your dentist checks

Your dentist checks the tooth, gums, symptoms, records, and medical history before recommending extraction. The exact assessment depends on the tooth and your health.

Tooth condition

Your dentist checks pain, swelling, looseness, tooth fracture, gum support, decay, existing dental work, and whether the tooth can be restored.

Health and symptoms

Medical history, medications, bleeding risk, allergies, infection signs, and anxiety concerns are reviewed before planning an invasive procedure.

Imaging and records

Radiographs or other records may be recommended to review roots, bone, nearby teeth, infection, and extraction complexity.

Risks and cost plan

Risks, alternatives, aftercare, replacement choices, timing, and itemised costs are discussed so you can make an informed decision.

Your Appointment

What happens at your appointment

We will review your health and medicines, assess the tooth and discuss the procedure, risks, aftercare and replacement questions where relevant. More complex extractions may need additional imaging or referral.

Tooth Extractions appointment step 1 at Dalkeith Dental

Assess the tooth and your health

The dentist reviews symptoms, medical history, medications, the tooth, gums, bite, and records to understand whether removal is appropriate.

Tooth Extractions appointment step 2 at Dalkeith Dental

Discuss options and risks

You are told whether repair, root canal treatment, extraction, referral, monitoring, or replacement planning is clinically suitable, including risks and costs.

Tooth Extractions appointment step 3 at Dalkeith Dental

Plan extraction and aftercare

If extraction proceeds, your dentist explains comfort measures, what to expect, bleeding control, eating advice, cleaning, review needs, and when to call for help.

Tooth Extractions aftercare guidance at Dalkeith Dental

Aftercare

Healing after a tooth extraction

Healing after an extraction varies. The socket, gums, bite, and future replacement choices may need review once the area has settled.

  • Follow the aftercare instructions for bleeding control, food, rinsing, activity, and cleaning.
  • Call if pain worsens after a few days, bleeding continues, swelling increases, or you feel unwell.
  • Replacement options such as a bridge, denture, or implant restoration can be discussed where suitable.

Fees, Health Funds, Payment Options

Let's Talk About Costs Before Treatment

If treatment is recommended, we'll explain the expected fees before it begins. You can also ask about payment options and health fund claiming where available.

Fees

Treatment Costs

Understand the plan before you begin

  • Expected fees are discussed before treatment begins
  • You can ask which treatment needs attention first
  • Available payment options can be reviewed with the team
View Payment Options

Helpful

Health Funds

What your cover may contribute

  • Many health fund claims can be processed through HICAPS where available
  • Cover and out-of-pocket costs depend on your fund
  • The team can help you check item numbers before treatment
Ask About Health Funds
hbf
medibank
bupa
ahm
australian unity
cbhs
gmhba
hcf
hif
nib
teachers health
unihealth
hicaps
medicare
defence health
qantas insurance
gmf
gu health
ing
police health
suncorp
westfund
apia
dva

FAQs

Questions people commonly ask before an extraction

Answers to common questions about tooth extraction suitability, risks, healing, dry socket, urgent symptoms, replacement options, costs, and health funds.

Where appropriate, yes. Extraction is usually discussed after your dentist has assessed whether the tooth can reasonably be repaired, restored, or monitored.

  • A filling, crown, gum care, root canal treatment, referral, or monitoring may be considered first.
  • Some teeth are not restorable because of deep decay, cracks, infection, advanced gum disease, or trauma.
  • The decision depends on the tooth, gums, bite, symptoms, records, and your broader oral health plan.

Your dentist should explain why removal is being recommended and what alternatives are relevant before treatment proceeds.