Tooth Extractions

In specific circumstances, it is no longer the right decision to save a tooth, it needs to be removed through extraction. At Posh Dental, we don’t take extractions lightly, but as a decision to improve a patient’s oral health. Dr. Gabriel will examine your teeth, review the situation through x-rays and following a diagnosis, help you make the best decision for your health, which may include the extraction of a single or multiple teeth.

Reasons for Extraction

We may recommend the extraction of a tooth under these specific circumstances:

Severely Decayed

When a tooth has reached a point of severe decay, there are two options, to remove the decay and cover the tooth with a dental crown or to remove the tooth. We would love for our patients to choose to have a dental crown placed, as the removal of a tooth will cause larger problems in your mouth, but this procedure can sometimes extend past a patient’s financial capabilities. If a patient is unable to have a crown placed, then removing the tooth, and source of infection in the patient’s body is necessary.

To Improve a Patient's Bite

At times, an Orthodontist may request that a patient have a tooth extracted. This is different from having a tooth removed due to decay because it is being done under the control of your orthodontist. The orthodontist will oversee the movement of the neighboring teeth so that no negative effects will result.

Wisdom Teeth

The removal of your wisdom teeth, or third molars, will be necessary for a majority of patients. Ideally, a patient will have them removed in young adulthood when the tooth has erupted so that we can grasp it, but before the roots have the opportunity to grow and create a hook at the end.

Simple and Surgical Extractions

When extracting a tooth, it can be either a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. What may begin as simple extraction can quickly turn into a surgical extraction if the situation becomes more complicated than originally predicted. Dr. Gabriel, along with the rest of our team, will do our best to keep you informed during your treatment.

Simple Extraction

A simple extraction is defined by being able fully to grasp a tooth and pull it cleanly out of its socket. To do this, the tooth can not be broken; can not be severely decayed and fragile; and can not be impacted, it has to be extended enough above the gum line that we can grab hold of it. Dr. Gabriel will use an instrument known as an elevator to loosen the tooth from the socket, and forceps to pull the tooth fully out.

Surgical Extraction

A surgical extraction is defined as requiring cuts to be made to remove the tooth. This is required when the tooth has been compromised or is impacted. Dr. Gabriel will need to make the necessary cuts to be able to remove the tooth, at times in pieces. A surgical extraction is more complicated and can be more painful.