Tooth Extraction Specialist

When are tooth extractions performed?

Extractions can be performed for different reasons. Teeth that cannot be saved with root canals or other restorations may need to be pulled to prevent the spread of decay and eliminate painful symptoms. Other teeth such as wisdom teeth may be impacted or causing crowding issues that can threaten the health of neighboring teeth. Tooth extractions are only performed when other alternatives have been thoroughly explored.

How is a tooth extraction performed?

Extraction depends on why the tooth is being extracted, the integrity of the tooth and its location, among other factors. Some extractions are very straightforward and can be performed using a local anesthetic and special gripping tools designed to firmly grasp the tooth so it can be easily removed. More complex extractions may require sedation and incisions into the gum to ensure the entire tooth is removed. Incisions may be used when a tooth is broken off beneath the gum surface, if the tooth is impacted and wedged beneath another tooth, or if the tooth is too brittle to be successfully pulled with gripping tools.

Do wisdom teeth always need to be pulled?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, and by the time they arrive, the mouth is usually fairly full of teeth. As a result, many wisdom teeth cause crowding issues, come in crooked or sideways, or become impacted beneath the gum, requiring extraction to keep the other teeth healthy and avoid other problems in the future. Even when wisdom teeth come in straight without crowding other teeth, extraction is still recommended in order to prevent future decay. That’s because wisdom teeth are located very far back in the jaw and can be hard to care for, eventually becoming repositories of decay-causing bacteria. Extracting them before bacteria can begin to colonize the area helps protect the neighboring teeth, while also making it easier for patients to care for their teeth with regular brushing and flossing.