Extractions

Keeping your smile healthy for life is our top priority at StoneRidge Dental Care. We always do everything we can to preserve a patient’s natural teeth. Whether a tooth has been irrevocably compromised due to disease, injury, or the natural aging process, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary.

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is a procedure designed to completely remove a tooth in its entirety, including the visible portion of a tooth along with its roots.

When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?

While we strive to preserve a patient’s natural teeth, a tooth extraction might be necessary when a tooth’s structure has become irrevocably compromised. When disease, damage, injury, or another issue weakens a tooth beyond treatment, we recommend extraction to resolve the problem and safeguard your health and neighboring teeth.

An extraction might be necessary in the following cases:

• The tooth is severely fractured.
• There’s significant bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.
• You’re experiencing infection or other problems after a root canal.
• The tooth is severely decayed.
• Wisdom teeth are impacted, not fully erupted, or do not have enough room to come in naturally.

If our dentists believe you need a tooth extraction, we can answer any questions you might have and help you prepare for your upcoming procedure.

What To Expect If You Need to Have a Tooth Extracted

Tooth extractions fall into two categories: surgical extraction and regular extraction, depending on the state of the tooth that needs to be removed.

At the beginning of your appointment, a local anesthetic is administered to ensure you experience no pain or discomfort during the removal.

If your tooth is in one piece and fully emerged above the gum line, the dentist loosens it using a special tool and then pulls it.

If the tooth is broken or is still below your gum line, a surgical extraction is necessary. This involves making an incision in the gums to ensure the removal of the entire tooth.

Depending on the type of extraction, our dentists provide you with after-care instructions designed to mitigate pain, prevent infection, and help your gums heal properly. We can also talk with you about your options for tooth replacement if desired or medically recommended.

Once a tooth is extracted, our team at StoneRidge Dental Care generally recommends a bone graft to prevent significant loss of bone structure and maintain arch integrity. It can also help with healing, overall jaw structure, and allow for future replacement options.

Tooth Replacement Options at StoneRidge Dental Care

When a patient needs to have a tooth extracted, one of the top concerns is almost always what happens after. Living with a missing tooth can be difficult, painful, change your appearance, and even compromise the health of your neighboring teeth.

Thankfully, having a tooth extracted does not mean you have to endure the challenges of living with an incomplete smile. From dental implants and bridges to a variety of dentures, at StoneRidge Dental Care, we have several tooth replacement treatment options designed to meet our patients’ needs.

If you need to have one or more teeth extracted or are already missing a tooth, we encourage you to schedule a smile restoration appointment with one of our dentists. We can talk with you about your concerns and smile goals and help you achieve the smile of your dreams.