Tooth Extraction

There are two forms of extractions: simple and surgical.

Simple extractions are performed on teeth that can be seen in the mouth and that do not require sectioning the tooth or incising the gum tissue for removal. These extractions are performed on teeth that must be removed due to extensive decay or injury, or even orthodontic treatment, and are usually performed under a local anesthetic. During this procedure, the doctor will grasp the tooth with forceps and loosen it by moving the instrument back and forth until the supporting structures widen enough to allow the removal of the tooth.

Surgical extractions are performed on teeth that have broken off at the gum line, have not yet come in, or those that cannot be easily extracted. To remove the tooth, the doctor will have to cut and pull back the gums, which allows access to the area. This is necessary for visibility, so that we can see the tooth that needs to be removed. Surgical extractions can be performed under local anesthesia but Sedation is often preferred for your comfort, due to the more difficult process of surgical extraction.

Following removal of a tooth, a bone graft, or Socket Conversion, is typically recommended to preserve as much remaining jaw bone as possible. This is critical if you are interested in replacing the missing tooth with a Dental Implant.

The most common reason for the removal of a tooth is severe infection/periodontal disease, significant decay, or breakage of a tooth that cannot be saved. However, teeth may also be removed because of:

• Severe tooth decay or infection
• Extra teeth that are blocking other teeth from growing in (supernumerary teeth)
• Severe gum disease
• Orthodontic treatment
• Non-restorable teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Cosmetic reasons

Regardless of the reasons that a tooth must be pulled, extractions are usually reserved only for cases in which no other treatment option will cure the infection or problem.