Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction is a dental procedure which involves removing one or more of your teeth. Dentists and oral surgeons are able to perform tooth extractions for their patients. While a tooth extraction might sound terrible, it can provide relief for those experiencing tooth pain, infection, or severely crowded teeth.

Knowing a few things about tooth extractions can help guide you in making the best decisions for your oral health.

What Are The Reasons For Having A Tooth Extracted?

Your teeth serve many purposes when it comes to eating, talking, and smiling. Unfortunately, teeth don’t always play by the rules and they sometimes can reach a point where it would be better if they were taken out.

There are several reasons as to why you may need a tooth extracted in your lifetime. Here are a few reasons why your dentist may recommend you have a tooth extracted:

• Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth are the third set of adult molars that typically erupt between the ages of 15 and 21 year old. Many people don’t have the room for them to erupt fully and even if they do come in fully, they can be a challenge to keep clean and healthy. In this case, your dentist may recommend that they are extracted.
• Crowded teeth: Today, most crowding is managed with expanders and braces but your orthodontist may recommend that you have teeth extracted if you have an extra small mouth. Sometimes it takes extracting a few teeth to make room for the rest of the teeth.
• Decayed teeth: Fillings and crowns usually fix teeth with cavities, but there are times where the decay is severe enough to need extraction.
• Infected tooth: Root canals can often be used to treat an infected tooth, but there are times when an infected tooth needs to be extracted.
• Implants: Prior to having implants, your tooth and root needs to be extracted from the implant site.
• Dentures: Full and even partial dentures usually require some level of teeth extraction.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease can severely affect the supporting structures of your teeth. If you have severe gum disease around any of your teeth or if you deal with severe tooth mobility, your dentist or periodontist may recommend tooth extraction.

Sometimes, patients resort to having a tooth extracted even when there is another way of restoring or saving the tooth. The most common reason for this is financial reasons. Our offices offer a variety of monetary payment options so that you can choose what works best for you. Our dentists encourage saving a tooth where possible instead of pulling it because your teeth serve an essential purpose, and it’s usually more expensive to replace a tooth than to repair one.

Types Of Tooth Extractions

In dentistry, there are two types of tooth extractions. Simple extractions are extractions done on teeth that can be seen and easily extracted. Surgical extractions are extractions that require an incision is made to extract the tooth.

Often dentists refer their surgical extractions out to oral surgeons. These are dentists that have specialized training in the area of oral surgery.

Do Tooth Extractions Hurt?

In most situations, tooth extractions don’t hurt. Many people get worked up thinking about needing a tooth extraction, but when it comes to having the actual procedure done, most leave saying it was far easier than anticipated.

To stay comfortable, most patients receive some type of anesthesia when having a tooth extracted. Depending on the type of extraction, you may only need local anesthesia. Often if the wisdom teeth are being removed, general anesthesia is used. If you are nervous about having a tooth extracted, know that nitrous oxide is also a great option, and it can help you relax during your appointment.

If you require a tooth extraction or are still weighing your options, our dental team would be happy to answer any questions you have and offer you guidance in your dental care.