At Apex Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, we understand that experiencing a damaged or problematic tooth can be stressful.
Saving your natural teeth is always our top priority, sometimes tooth extraction becomes the best course of action for your long-term oral health and overall well-being.
We use gentle and efficient tooth extraction procedures in a comfortable environment and offer a variety of anesthesia options to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
Don’t spend another day in pain, contact our Kenosha or Racine office to schedule a consultation.
Common Reasons to Extract a Tooth
There are several reasons why we might recommend a tooth extraction. While we prefer to save natural teeth whenever possible, sometimes extraction is the best course of action to preserve your oral and overall health. The most common reasons to remove a tooth are due to trauma, impaction or overcrowding, gum disease or severe tooth decay.
If a cavity is left untreated, it can eat away at the tooth’s enamel and dentin, eventually reaching the pulp (the inner layer of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels). This can cause pain and infection.
If the decay is too severe, the tooth may not be salvageable and will need to be extracted. Early signs of tooth decay might include minor toothache, especially when consuming sugary foods or drinks.
If you experience any discomfort in your teeth, especially lingering pain, it’s important to see a dentist right away for diagnosis and treatment. Prompt intervention can help prevent the cavity from progressing and potentially necessitating extraction.
In its early stages, gum disease (gingivitis) is characterized by inflammation, redness, and bleeding of the gums. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.
However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that can damage the bones that support the teeth.
This can cause the teeth to loosen and eventually fall out. Periodontitis can also lead to other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In some cases, tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent further bone loss and infection. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing gum disease.
Tooth impaction and trauma are two other reasons we may need to extract a tooth. Impacted teeth are those that can’t erupt through the gums due to lack of space. The most common tooth that’s impacted are the wisdom teeth, which can cause a whole host of problems if left untreated.
Trauma can cause a tooth to fracture, crack or get knocked out due to an accident or injury. In some cases, the tooth can be repaired with a filling, crown, or root canal. However, if the tooth is too severely damaged, it may need to be extracted.
Types of Tooth Extractions
There are two main types of tooth extractions: simple extraction and surgical extraction.
A Simple extraction is a procedure used to remove teeth that are visible above the gum line and have easy-to-reach roots. This is the most common type of extraction and is typically performed on teeth that are loose, broken, or decayed.
During a simple extraction, we numb the area around the tooth with local anesthesia. Then, we use special instruments, such as elevators and forceps, to loosen and remove the tooth.
Surgical extractions are a more complex procedure used to remove teeth that are impacted (stuck below the gum line), broken below the gum line, or wisdom teeth.
Surgical extractions may also be necessary if a tooth has multiple roots or if the surrounding bone is very dense.
During a surgical extraction, the dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth. They may also need to remove some bone tissue. Once the tooth is exposed, it will be loosened and removed using forceps or other instruments. The dentist will then close the incision with stitches.
Our oral surgeon will determine which procedure is best for your scenario during your consultation at our Kenosha office.
Schedule Your Consultation
Saving your natural teeth is always our top priority, sometimes tooth extraction becomes the best course of action for your long-term oral health and overall well-being.
At Apex Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, we understand that experiencing a damaged or problematic tooth can be stressful.
We use gentle and efficient tooth extraction procedures in a comfortable environment and offer a variety of anesthesia options to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
Don’t spend another day in pain, call our Kenosha office at 262-654-6770 or Racine office at 262-886-0147 to schedule a consultation.
