Extractions

There is no reason to fear a tooth extraction. Dental technology has advanced to the point that it is now possible to extract a tooth without causing significant pain. This procedure removes the tooth from the socket within the bone. Tooth extraction is necessary after damage, decay or other problems arise from a specific dental treatment, crown, filling or other restoration. If the damage is significant, the dentist will advise extraction. Additional reasons for tooth extraction include but are not limited to wisdom tooth impaction, injury, trauma, infection within the tooth and insufficient space to accommodate teeth in the mouth. Your child might also require a tooth extraction if his or her baby teeth do not fall out to accommodate permanent teeth.

The tooth extraction process starts with a review of your dental and medical history. X-rays are taken to determine the tooth’s position, shape and length. The dentist uses this information to strategically plan the extraction. The area around the tooth is then numbed with a local anesthetic. If a surgical extraction is necessary, the oral surgeon will provide intravenous anesthesia so you feel no pain at all.

Simple extractions remove the tooth that is visible within the mouth. An elevator instrument is used to loosen the problematic tooth prior to removal with dental forceps. Surgical extractions are more complex and primarily used when a tooth breaks off along the gum line or fails to emerge into the mouth as desired. This approach to tooth extraction involves a minor incision in the gum followed by the careful removal of the tooth.