If a tooth is causing extreme sensitivity, or advanced gum disease has loosened it, it may need to come out. With a simple extraction, your dentist can remove it safely without major surgery.
Common reasons
- Advanced gum disease that has loosened the roots
- Extra teeth or baby teeth blocking adult teeth
- Making room before orthodontic treatment
- A fractured or malformed tooth
- Severe decay that a root canal can’t fix
What to expect
- We take x-rays to plan the extraction.
- A local anesthetic numbs the area so you don’t feel pain.
- An instrument called an elevator gently lifts the tooth and loosens the surrounding ligaments and gum.
- Forceps gently rock the tooth until it’s free. Stubborn or complex teeth may be removed in smaller pieces.
- We place gauze in the socket and have you bite down. Stitches are added if needed.
Afterward, we’ll talk about options to replace the tooth, such as an implant, bridge or partial denture.