Tooth Extraction

We do not recommend extractions unless the tooth is damaged beyond repair.

If one of your teeth breaks or becomes damaged by tooth decay, we will try our best to restore it using fillings, crowns, or other methods. But there may be times when a tooth is damaged beyond repair so we will need to remove it from its socket in the bone. Tooth extractions like this occur for multiple other reasons, including:

For removal of teeth before braces to make room for other teeth
Over retained baby teeth so that the permanent teeth can come in
For radiation treatments to the head and neck
When teeth fracture below the gum
When a tooth becomes infected and cannot be saved

We take exceptional care to ensure that this procedure is quick and comfortable and that the extraction leaves a minimal impact on your oral health. For instance, we may follow tooth extraction with ridge preservation, which involves fortifying the newly-empty socket in your jawbone with specialized bone grafting. We’ll also work closely with you before your tooth extraction, to determine your best option for replacing the tooth and restoring your bite function, balance, and beauty.

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Tooth Extraction Options

Simple Extractions

Simple tooth extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth and have enough exposed tooth structure to grasp. These are quick and cause minimal discomfort. These are performed by using a local anesthetic by injection to numb the tooth.

Once the tooth is numb, it is accomplished by grasping and carefully loosening the tooth using a gentle back and forth motions. Once the root is loose, it can easily be removed the tooth from its socket.

Your tooth extraction shouldn’t cause pain, but you will feel some pressure. If you sense pain or pinching, tell your dentist.

Surgical Extractions

Surgical extractions are more complex than simple extractions. These involve the teeth that are broken off at the gumline or for those that are not yet showing in the mouth.

For a surgical extraction, a procedure is required where a small cut is made into the gum. It may be necessary to cut the tooth in half or remove some of the bone around the tooth to extract it.

You’ll receive a local anaesthetic for this type of tooth removal. You may choose to go for sedation if you feel nervous about this type of procedure.

Offering sedation has been a great way for our patients to have not only the extractions but the other treatment they required in one visit. The sedation is done in the comfort of our surgery, with your dentist, their dental assistant, and the sedation specialist on-site at the time of the procedure.

There may be situations when you will need a referral to an Oral Surgeon. This may happen if we anticipate a difficult extraction or your medical history indicates the need for a referral.

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