Tooth Extractions

All About Extractions

What is a Dental Tooth Extraction?

We try hard to fix teeth that have been broken or damaged by decay, usually with a filling, crown or some other dental treatment. But sometimes, there is just too much damage and the tooth can't be repaired and the tooth may need to be removed.

Reasons to need a tooth extracted

Decay. If a tooth is so badly decayed that it can't be fixed then it will need to be removed.

Gum disease. Gum disease causes the loss of bone that holds the teeth in. The teeth get loose and infected and need to come out.

What are the two different kinds of Tooth Extractions?

• A simple extraction. This procedure is on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth.
• A surgical extraction. This is a more complex procedure reserved for teeth that are severely broken down to the point where there is nothing to grab on to. Or, if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not erupted into the mouth.

How are Teeth Removed?

First the area around the tooth will be numbed up with a local anesthetic. Once the area is anesthetized, the tooth is loosened up with the help of a tool called an elevator. Then, we wiggle the tooth out with the help of dental forceps.Once it is out, we may choose to close the area with a stitch.