Extractions

Do I need tooth extractions?

Your teeth, gums, and jaws work together to help you chew and talk. Severely damaged or decayed teeth can interfere with the way your mouth functions and put your oral health at risk. 

When a tooth is beyond repair, extraction may preserve the health of your gums, jaw, and remaining teeth. Decay and advanced gum disease are common reasons for tooth extractions, but they are not the only ones. For some orthodontic cases where you have excessive crowding and your teeth don’t have sufficient room to get aligned, extractions can make room for such movements to occur.

What happens during a tooth extraction?

There are two main types of tooth extractions: routine extractions and surgical extractions. The type of extraction you need depends on the location of your tooth and whether or not the tooth is visible above your gum line.

Routine tooth extractions remove teeth that are visible above the gum line. These extractions may only require local anesthesia or conscious sedation, and they’re common in cases of severe damage, decay, or overcrowding. Your dentist numbs your mouth and removes the tooth with special forceps.

Surgical extractions remove teeth that haven’t erupted through your gums. Because they require your dentist to cut into the gums to remove the tooth, you are put under general anesthesia to keep you comfortable. You may need a surgical extraction if you’re getting wisdom teeth removed that haven’t yet emerged into your mouth.

What does bone grafting do?

If you have a tooth removed, it changes the way your mouth functions. Surrounding teeth must compensate for the missing tooth, while your gums and jaw no longer have the tooth to grow around.

A bone graft can be done with or without tooth extraction to prevent bone loss in your jaw. It’s a procedure that involves using a small amount of natural bone or artificial grafting material to fill the space in your jaw and stimulate new bone growth.

Trust Sunrise Dental for your oral surgery and extractions. Schedule a consultation online or call the office to book your appointment today.