What is a Tooth Extraction?
Extractions involve completely removing one or more teeth
from your mouth. They may be necessary because a tooth has become severely
compromised or decayed, or because the tooth is causing issues to your dental
health. Extractions are one of the most common dental procedures in the office,
and can be done comfortably, safely, and easily. We offer sedation options to
help make your visit with us more comfortable.
Why is a Tooth Extraction needed?
Extractions are always done to improve your oral health. If
other options are available, we will discuss these procedures with you before
the tooth is removed. Some of the more common reasons for needing an extraction
include:
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• A tooth has cracked or broken below the gum line
• A tooth is severely decayed
• A tooth is loose due to gum disease
• A baby tooth isn’t able to come out on its own
• You want to avoid other, more complicated procedures
Who is a good candidate for a Tooth Extraction?
While extractions are relatively simple procedures, you
should still be healthy enough to undergo oral surgery, and have the ability to
recover from it. We will perform an exam prior to the procedure to determine if
it’s right for you. We will go over your health and medical history to see if
extractions are the best choice for your needs. We may even give you other
options to save the tooth before it is fully extracted.
What happens during a Tooth Extraction?
Local or general anesthetic is administered to make you more
comfortable during the procedure. For fully exposed teeth, special dental
instruments will be used to lift the tooth and remove it from the mouth. For
impacted teeth, like wisdom teeth, an incision is made into the gums and the
tooth removed. Sutures may or may not be needed depending on where the
extraction was done, and whether or not an incision was made. You’ll go home
biting down on a piece of gauze, and will be given vital post-operative instructions
to improve your chances of recovering quickly and fully.