The dental extraction of a tooth is the full removal of the tooth.
There are multiple reasons a tooth may need to be extracted but generally speaking it is to improve the health of the mouth and overall oral health.
Working with our staff at Lehigh Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we can examine the tooth, or teeth, in question and evaluate if extraction is the right step.
Our practice provides compassionate care for tooth extraction in Allentown, ensuring patients are comfortable and informed throughout the process.
We can then discuss restorative options to improve your oral health, correct your bite and enhance your look.
Extractions are categorized as either surgical or non-surgical, often including a simple extraction for non-surgical cases.
Oftentimes family dentists will take care of non-surgical tooth extractions in their office and then refer surgical tooth extractions to practices like ours.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
The surgical extraction of a tooth means that cuts need to be made in the soft tissue and bone to retrieve the tooth. Surgical extraction is most common in teeth that are:
| • | Impacted: An impacted tooth is a tooth that is unable to fully erupt from the gum line, the tooth may be partially or fully covered by gum tissue. Most often, a tooth is impacted due to inadequate space to come in, or because its positioning is out of alignment. The 3rd row of molars, or wisdom teeth, often find themselves being impacted due to their late arrival, but any tooth has the potential of being impacted. Learn more about wisdom teeth
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| • | Damaged: When a tooth has broken below the gumline, or been fractured severely, so that it doesn't have enough tooth structure to cover with a dental crown or to grab with forceps, surgical extraction may be necessary. |
| • | Weakened: A tooth that is severely decayed or weakened may not have the structural integrity to be pulled with forceps. If the dentist is fearful that the tooth would break during extraction the dentist may refer the extraction to our team. We can quickly switch gears should a non-surgical extraction become a surgical one. |
Our dentists will assess each patient's individual needs and provide personalized recommendations for treatment. We also offer dental implants, partial dentures, and other restorative options to replace missing teeth and restore a healthy smile.
By addressing these issues promptly, we can help you maintain optimal oral health and prevent further complications. Our clinic is conveniently located in the Lehigh Valley, making it easily accessible for residents in the area.
Surgical Extraction Procedure
The first objective of every extraction procedure is to ensure the comfort of the patient for a speedy recovery.
Extraction can be uncomfortable and we can vastly decrease the pain and make the process easier.
Depending on the work being done, we have multiple conscious sedation options available and can make arrangements for unconscious sedation when needed.
The surgical extraction of a tooth involves moving or shaping the tissue to gain access to the tooth. Often the tooth is quartered, or broken into four sections, and then removed.
Depending on the situation, soft tissue or bone tissue may need to be removed, especially if the bone is diseased. A bone graft can help treat bone loss.
Once the fragments are cleared, we then suture the area closed. A gauze pad is placed over the area until bleeding stops. We will review care instructions before leaving, the patient will need to treat the area with caution for a few days.
Sedation Dentistry
At our dental office, we understand that many patients experience anxiety or fear when it comes to dental procedures, including tooth extractions.
That's why we offer sedation dentistry options to help patients relax and feel more comfortable during their appointments.
Our sedation options include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, which can be used in combination with local anesthesia to minimize discomfort.
Our team is trained to administer sedation safely and effectively, ensuring a stress-free experience for our patients.
By providing these options, we aim to make your visit as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible, allowing you to receive the care you need to ensure healing properly without unnecessary stress.
Post Extraction Surgery
The first few days of healing post-extraction can be uncomfortable. We will provide you with details of what to expect and symptoms that can be concerning.
In general, some bleeding is to be expected but excessive bleeding can be a sign of trouble, if the bleeding seems to be excessive please seek medical treatment immediately and contact our office when appropriate.
Additionally, be aware of signs of infection, this can include developing a fever or abnormal swelling. After 24 hours, rinsing with warm salt water has been shown to assist in promoting healing and decreasing infection-causing bacteria.
We encourage our patients to call our office with any questions or concerns at (610) 435-6161.