Tooth Extraction
Silverdale, WA
Tooth Extraction provided by Dr. Kasey Gillespie, DDS in Silverdale, WA at Life Long Dental
Your teeth serve some important purposes. They allow you to properly, and completely, chew your food. They allow you to be understood when you speak. A full, white smile speaks volumes to those around you.
At Life Long Dental, we do everything possible to save your teeth in the event of damage. While we can save your teeth most of the time, there are some instances in which tooth extraction is the only option.
Why Do Teeth Need to Be Extracted?
Typically, tooth extractions are reserved for when there are no other options left. There are a few instances when a tooth extraction might be required:
| • | If your teeth have suffered serious damage. Usually, damaged teeth can be restored with dental crowns. If the damage extends below the gum line, or the tooth is shattered, the only option is to remove it. |
| • | Severe tooth decay. When fillings cannot protect the tooth, and will only further compromise it, the tooth needs to be extracted. |
| • | Impacted teeth. An impacted tooth is one that cannot properly emerge through the gums, whether it is obstructed or crooked. The wisdom teeth are the ones most likely to be impacted, but any tooth could be impacted. |
| • | Your mouth is overcrowded. Typically, orthodontics is used to fix overcrowding, but for your teeth to move into proper alignment, some often need to be extracted first. |
| • | If you have a compromised immune system and are at risk for an infection, extraction acts as a preventative measure. |
Simple Vs. Surgical Tooth Extractions
There are two types of tooth extractions. Before we consider a tooth extraction, we first conduct a thorough oral exam, complete with x-rays, to rule out the possibility of any other options.
The first is referred to as a simple tooth extraction. As the name suggests, a simple extraction is a straightforward procedure. The tooth is loosened in its socket and lifted out.
A surgical tooth extraction is a more complex extraction and is often used when the tooth is broken or blocked. We need to make incisions in your gum tissue to access the tooth and ensure that it is completely removed.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
The procedure for tooth extraction varies greatly on the type of extraction performed. No matter which type of teeth extraction we perform, you are given a local anesthetic.
With a simple extraction, the tooth is gripped with a pair of dental forceps. The tooth is then moved back and forth, widening the socket. Once wide enough, the tooth is lifted right out.
A surgical extraction, on the other hand, is a much more involved procedure. After your local anesthetic, incisions are made in the gums, giving us access to the root of the tooth and the jawbone. We then can completely remove every piece of the tooth. Depending on your case, the tooth may be intact, but needs to be broken, or a small amount of bone may need to be removed as well. After the tooth is removed, the socket is cleaned, and the wounds sutured closed.
Once you have healed from your tooth extraction procedure, no matter if it is simple or surgical, we can then discuss tooth replacement options.
Contact Us for a Tooth Extraction Today!
If your teeth have suffered damage, seeking dental help is imperative to your oral health. At Life Long Dental, we will exhaust every restorative procedure available.
If we cannot save your tooth, we can extract it, and discuss options for replacement. Call us at (360) 633-2377 today for more information!
