Sometimes a tooth cannot be restored and must be removed.
When a tooth is broken or has significant decay, the ideal solution is to restore it using a filling, crown, or other related procedure. If a restoration is not possible or advisable due to the condition of the tooth, an extraction may be recommended to prevent or resolve an infection.
Most extractions can be performed using local anesthesia to number the area around the tooth. The tooth is then gently loosened and removed. After the tooth is removed, measures are taken to stop the bleeding. This typically involves packing gauze at the site and applying pressure by biting down on the gauze. Sometimes, sutures (stitches) are necessary to control the bleeding. While self-dissolving sutures are the most common, some patients need to be seen for follow-up to remove sutures if a non-dissolving type is used.
Depending on your health, the difficulty of the tooth to be removed, future plans for the extraction site, and if you would prefer sedation for the procedure, we may refer you to an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon’s office that we trust.