Sometimes despite our best efforts and wishes, a tooth cannot be saved. In this case the tooth will have to be taken out, or extracted. Most extractions can be performed here in office. The dentist will freeze the area with local anaesthetic, and then use a series of instruments and forceps to gently remove the tooth from the jaw. Some difficult cases require the tooth to be taken out in 2 or 3 pieces, or for the gums to be cut and stitched back together afterwards. On occasion, a referral is necessary to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons office if the tooth is particularly difficult or if there are other health concerns. Prior to removing a tooth, you will be presented with the different options of replacing that tooth in the future if that is your desire. Options can include implants, bridges or fixed prosthesis, or dentures and removable prosthetic devices.
Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the most common teeth to be extracted. Over time, our jaws have decreased in size, rendering our wisdom teeth disposable in terms of function. Most patients often don’t even have the proper amount of room for these teeth, and that can cause even more problems – wisdom teeth can grow in horizontally and in a variety of bad positions and can even form destructive cysts. The best time to evaluate a patient’s wisdom teeth are during their late teens. If you have questions about wisdom teeth, please contact our office.
If you have had a recent extraction and require any information, please review our Post Surgical Expectations and Extraction Post Op Instruction pages. If you still have questions, please contact us.