An extraction may be necessary if your tooth is severely damaged or impacted. Impacted teeth cannot break through the gum line because there is not enough room in the mouth. This can be caused by overcrowding, extra teeth blocking other teeth from breaking through, or wisdom teeth coming in at the wrong angle. These teeth are at risk for infections because they have nowhere for proper drainage. They are also more susceptible to decay and gum disease because they are far out of the mouth’s reach. An extraction may be the best option for long-term dental health if a tooth cannot be corrected with a crown or a filling. If the tooth is not repaired promptly, it can cause damage to the surrounding teeth and bone structure.
At My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS, our dentists are professionally trained to remove teeth so that you can heal quickly and comfortably gently. We will provide the necessary aftercare instructions so you can heal properly after the extraction procedure.
Before beginning your tooth removal, your dentist will administer an anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. During the extraction procedure, the dentist will use forceps to grab the tooth and gently wiggle it back and forth to loosen it from the periodontal ligament. Once the tooth has been loosened, it is gently pulled out. Your dentist or dental hygienist may place bone grafting material into the socket where the tooth was pulled. This natural substance encourages the growth of new bone and tissue in the socket. After several months, the area will be ready for dental implant placement. Some patients may receive other services during this procedure, such as a sinus lift or ridge augmentation. The length of your treatment will depend on your individual needs.
If a child has extra teeth that need to be removed and is too young to receive braces, removing them can prevent future crowding. This is particularly important if the child still has baby teeth in their mouth.
Some patients choose to have their wisdom teeth removed if their teeth are impacted or causing problems with chewing or swallowing. The extraction can improve the patient’s bite function in these cases.
Removing decayed or damaged teeth can help a patient avoid further tooth decay and tooth damage and prevent the spread of disease.
Tooth extraction can be scary, but it might be the best choice for oral health. Visit My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS, at 1919 N. Pearl St. Suite A-3, Tacoma, WA, 98406, or call (253) 761-5299 for the best dental care.