All Virginia Family Dentistry General Dentists can perform tooth extractions.
If you have a tooth needing to be extracted, please contact the most convenient location to you.
Why do teeth need to be extracted?
Your dentist may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed, others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way which cannot be repaired. Teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
What are the alternatives to extractions?
The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health. To avoid these complications, in most cases, your doctor will discuss alternatives to extractions as well replacement of the extracted tooth. Sometimes the tooth in question can be saved by a root canal or a crown.
How is a tooth extracted?
At the time of extraction the dentist will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic. During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure but should not feel pain. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.
You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has dumbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly effected. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.
After the tooth is removed, the dentist will make sure no debris is left in the socket and will flush it out with a saline solution. Pressure will be applied to minimize bleeding. The dentist will then close the extraction site by stitching the gums.
Sectioning a Tooth
Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedures done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.
After the Extraction
Please follow the instructions given to you by the dentist carefully.
If you have a tooth needing to be extracted, please contact the most convenient location to you.