Removing Damaged Teeth
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Our dentists will only perform extractions when a less invasive option would be ineffective, or if keeping the tooth will harm your oral health.
Your dentist will always do their best to save a tooth whenever possible. However, certain circumstances, such as injury, severe gum disease, or excessive decay, will likely require extraction.
Extractions may also be necessary when teeth are over-crowded or when preparing for other dental procedures.
If it is decided that you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options with you. These may include dental bridges, dental crowns, and dentures.
The Tooth Extraction Process
First, local anesthesia is given to numb your affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Your dentist will then use an instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth and use forceps to remove it from the socket. The socket will then be cleaned out to remove debris and bacteria. Finally, sutures may be placed to close up the gums and assist in the healing process.
In most cases, extractions are a quick procedure. You should feel little to no pain during the time it takes to complete them.
What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?
After the tooth has been removed, your dentist will place a piece of gauze on the extraction and ask you to bite down gently to apply pressure to the extraction site. This will help slow any bleeding and allow a blood clot to form.
While your mouth is healing be sure to eat soft foods and follow all your dentist's post-procedure instructions. If you experience any excessive bleeding (light bleeding is normal for the first day) or have severe pain be sure to contact us right away.