Dental Services
Location
Hours
Mon – Thurs: 8 AM – 5 PM
Fri: Hours by Request
Sat & Sun: Closed
A dental extraction is exactly what it sounds like: the removal of a tooth from its socket. Here at Forest Hills Dental Associates, we will explore every option possible before extracting a tooth or referring a patient to have an extraction. However, sometimes it is the only option. When a tooth is severely damaged beyond repair it is necessary to remove the tooth. This enables us to replace the tooth or teeth with a more predictable long term solution.
Reasons For A Tooth Extraction
- Extra teeth or baby teeth that that block other teeth from coming in
- Impacted wisdom (3rd Molars) teeth
- Preparing a patient for orthodontic treatment such as braces
- Severe periodontal disease that has loosened the tooth roots
- Fractured or malformed tooth
- Severe tooth decay which cannot be remedied with root canal therapy
Types of Extractions
Simple Extraction These extractions consist of the removal of teeth that are visible in the oral cavity and usually only require the use of local anesthetic. The extraction is performed by elevating the tooth and using forceps to rock the tooth back and forth until it is loose enough to remove. Our dentists will perform basic extractions in our office as long as there are no foreseeable complications. Each patient is evaluated on an individual basis and will be referred to one of our oral surgeon colleagues if it is deemed necessary for the patient’s safety or comfort. If a patient wishes to receive sedation for any type of extraction, a referral to a local Oral Surgeon will be provided.
Surgical Extraction These involve teeth that have not yet erupted or ones that have broken off at or below the gum line. In some cases, an incision and bone removal is necessary to access the tooth that is being extracted. Either way, the surgeon will use local anesthesia or, in more difficult procedures a surgical referral will be provided.
After the Extraction
Once the tooth is extracted, the patient has several options. In order to fill the void left by the extracted tooth, the patient may choose to have Dental Implant(s), a Bridge, Partial or full dentures or simply do nothing. However, doing nothing may cause other issues to arise in the patient's mouth. The surrounding teeth will most likely begin to shift to fill in the space that is left. This can lead to an increase in periodontal (gum) disease and cavities in the teeth that have collapsed into the empty area.