The removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone is known as tooth extraction. At Freeman Dental, extractions are only performed when a tooth affected by tooth decay or trauma cannot be saved. When the dental decay has reached the nerve of the tooth, a root canal will be performed to save the tooth. When the tooth is fractured, a dental crown will be placed over the tooth to restore its structure. In both cases, extractions will only be needed if those treatments fail to save the tooth.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions may be considered if:

• A tooth affected by advanced decay, periodontal disease, or trauma is no longer salvageable
• The tooth is blocking another tooth from coming in, which is known as being “impacted”
• The tooth is severely misaligned and can’t be corrected with orthodontics
• A tooth is causing the patient severe pain and discomfort
• A tooth is blocking another tooth’s path to becoming fully functional
• A tooth is severely cracked and can’t be filled or crowned
• A tooth is too weak and brittle due to bone loss
• A tooth has a tumor that is impacting the health of the tooth, bone, and surrounding tissues

Types of Tooth Extraction

Simple Extraction

When a tooth is broken or damaged by decay, our dentists may recommend a simple extraction. This involves numbing the area and removing the tooth. Without treatment, a broken or decayed tooth can cause pain, swelling, and infection.

Our dentists may also recommend an extraction if your tooth is impacted, which means it cannot develop or erupt, or if your tooth is malpositioned.

Surgical Extraction

A surgical extraction is a procedure performed when a severely damaged or impacted tooth is not visible above the gumline or cannot be extracted in one piece. The dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth, make an incision, and then remove the tooth from its socket.

The condition of the tooth will determine the type of extraction performed.

What Happens During the Extraction Procedure?

Our dentists will apply a numbing gel to your gum line. Once it’s had time to take effect, they’ll begin working to gently loosen the tooth with forceps. Once the tooth has loosened enough, it’ll be pulled out. Our dentists will then place a piece of gauze into the socket, which you’ll need to change every couple of hours.

Our dentists at Freeman Dental offer the best quality dental care possible to our clients. Call (270) 444-6080 for our Paducah office to schedule an appointment.