While we hope to help our patients keep their biological teeth and take steps to do so, decay may be too advanced or an injury too severe to save the tooth, even with restorative treatment.
In these cases, a tooth may need to be extracted. Depending on the complexity of the case, the extraction may be a simple one or more involved, requiring a surgical procedure.
Other situations in which tooth extractions may be indicated include cases of severe crowding, where teeth may need to be removed to create enough space to realign the teeth via orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, even baby teeth may need to be removed if they do not fall out in a timeframe that allows the permanent tooth to erupt in the proper position.
The third molars, more commonly known as the wisdom teeth, must be surgically extracted in many patients because the jaw is not large enough to accommodate them and they can become impacted.
Most types of extractions can be completed in an outpatient procedure in our office.
Most types of extractions can be completed in an outpatient procedure in our office. A simple extraction may only require a local anesthetic, but some patients feel more comfortable with sedation. Most surgical extractions will call for both sedation and local anesthetic.
When facing tooth loss, many patients prefer to begin the process of tooth replacement as soon as possible to limit the time spent with a noticeable gap in the smile. In addition to extracting the teeth, our office is also able to provide treatment following tooth loss. We offer dental implants, along with other restorations, and we can discuss your most important requirements for tooth loss to recommend the intervention most suitable in your case.
If you have a tooth that is significantly decayed, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss a timeline for extraction as well as your tooth replacement options. Seek tooth extraction treatment in a timely fashion to safeguard against other negative outcomes, such as ongoing pain or widespread infection.