Tooth extraction is a procedure to remove a tooth from its socket. It is commonly performed and may be a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. A simple extraction removes a tooth that has erupted into the mouth without cutting into the gum. A surgical extraction removes a tooth through the gum and possibly through the jawbone. The most common reason for tooth extraction is removing seriously damaged teeth (e.g., excessive tooth decay, fractured or broken teeth). The procedure may also be used when a tooth cannot erupt fully (e.g., impacted tooth), to reduce dental crowding or the risk of infection and to prepare for a complete denture or radiation therapy. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed, others may have advanced periodontal disease ("gum disease"), or else have broken in a fashion which cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom teeth), or else in preparation for orthodontic treatment ("braces").

When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth will tend to shift, sometimes significantly, which in turn can have a major impact on your dental health. Even the removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and predispose the teeth that have shifted to problems also.

To avoid these complications we recommend that you replace the tooth that has been extracted.

One of the main goals of modern dentistry is the prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be taken to preserve and maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance. However, it is still sometimes necessary to remove a tooth. Here are some of the reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted.

There are certain risks associated with any surgery. Pain, bleeding, permanent numbness, broken root tips and bone are several of the possible risks. Any associated risks prior to surgery but it is important that you realize that though we take every possible precaution to reduce these risks, you either accept the possiblility of the risks or you may elect not to have the surgery.

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, do not always erupt properly when they decide to make an appearance. It's wise to get an early opinion on getting wisdom teeth pulled before they cause pain, swelling, infection, caries and gum disease.

The shape of the modern human mouth is often too small to accommodate wisdom teeth which make their first appearance in young adults 17 to 26. The late teens to early twenties is the best time to remove wisdom teeth.

Generally, when one or two wisdom teeth are to be removed .However, it is normally recommended that all four be removed at once. This is best done by an oral surgeon, who can sedate you so you will be unaware of the procedure. He is also specially trained and skilled to handle multiple difficult extractions. Generally we will recommend a surgeon in the area that we have worked with in the past.

If you've just had a tooth extracted or a tooth be extracted, the following information will help you get through the first few days after your extraction. Should anything occur that seems out of the normal, do not hesitate to call.

A surgical extraction involves teeth that cannot be seen easily in the mouth, either because they have broken off at the gum line or because they have not come in yet. Another reason for a surgical extraction is that the tooth to be removed requires a flap be cut in the gum for access to remove bone or a section of the tooth. Surgical extractions commonly are done by oral surgeons. They can be done with local anesthesia or conscious sedation. Patients with special medical conditions and young children may be given general anesthesia. In a surgical extraction, the dentist will need to make an incision in your gum to reach the tooth. In some cases, the tooth will need to be broken into sections to be removed.

Surgical extraction is performed on non-mobile teeth with normal or near normal attachment levels. If your dentist has studied your radiographs and concluded that extraction is necessary the next step will be the creation of a surgical flap. Your highly skilled oral surgeon will make a precise incision providing room to remove the alveolar bone. Following this the surgeon will isolate and gently elevate the roots of your tooth. After sufficient bone removal and elevation, the tooth root should become mobile. Small dental forceps or needle holders are used to grasp the tooth crown and then rotate the tooth on its long axis. Your surgeon will rotate the tooth to the point of resistance for 20 to 30 seconds. The rotation is then reversed and again held for 20 to 30 seconds. By using slow, continuous forces, the fibers are torn and the tooth becomes loose enough for gentle traction to remove it from its socket.

After the roots have been successfully removed, a post-extraction radiograph will confirm that the operation has been successful. The alveolus can then be treated and sealed in the same way as practiced in the non-surgical extraction.