Tooth Extractions
What are Tooth Extractions?
Performing a tooth extraction means we are removing teeth. Extractions are done as a way to preserve your oral health. Patients require extractions when teeth are associated with bone or gum disease (periodontal disease) or have cavities. Some teeth, like wisdom teeth, do not grow in normally which can lead to infections and damage to adjacent teeth. These require removal to treat active problems, but also to preserve the integrity of the adjacent teeth and to prevent long-term more serious complications. Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment could also require extractions to make space for the orthodontist to move your teeth. Extractions are performed here in the safety of our office under local anesthesia, nitrous oxide anxiolysis, or intravenous sedation.
Why are Tooth Extractions needed?
Extractions are often performed when there is no other way to save a tooth. Some teeth are simply an issue to your oral health, so it’s best to remove them before they’re allowed to cause issues with shifting, infection and intra-oral damage. Some of the reasons you may want or need an extraction include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Loose or severely decayed teeth
- Teeth that are cracked or broken below the gum line
- Stubborn baby teeth
- You’re looking to avoid having additional treatment done
Who is a candidate for Tooth Extractions?
We provide oral surgery services with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide anxiolysis, or intravenously to provide deep sedation or general anesthesia. It is during that appointment when the doctor weighs the risks versus benefits of removing the tooth. When the benefit of removing the tooth outweighs the risks, the recommendation is made to remove the tooth. If the patient decides not to remove the tooth, then they are subjecting themselves to increase risks of having infections, abscesses, damage to adjacent teeth/structures.
What happens during a Tooth Extraction?
We perform dental extractions with local anesthesia, nitrous oxide anxiolysis, or intravenously to provide deep sedation or general anesthesia. We then will loosen and remove the tooth with specialized instruments. We may place sutures if they are needed. We have you bite down on gauze to stop the bleeding. If you’ve been sedated, we will bring you to our post op area for recovery. You should be brought home by a friend or relative if sedation has been provided and you will not be able to return to normal activities for at least 24 hours. Post operatively we will provide you with after care instructions verbally and in written form.
If you think you might need a tooth extraction, call our office today and we will be happy to get you in for an appointment.