Dental Extractions

The extraction of teeth may be required for any of the following reasons:

1. Decayed or broken teeth which cannot be restored.
2. Periodontal disease (pyorrhea) which has caused the teeth to become loose.
3. Pathology associated with the tooth, such as cysts and tumors.
4. Fracture of teeth due to facial trauma.
5. Infection of the teeth or bone which cannot be treated by other methods.
6. Poor positioning or crowding of teeth, including impacted wisdom teeth and extractions for orthodontic purposes.

The extraction of teeth is usually uncomplicated; however an incision may be required to assist in the complete removal of the root. In some cases, judicious bone removal to better expose the tooth maybe required. Sutures (stitches) may be placed at the extraction sites to control bleeding and to re-approximate the soft tissues. You will be told if you must return to have these removed.

In order to make you more comfortable during surgery, we have several techniques including local anesthesia, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. These anesthetic options will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation.

During your initial examination, with the aid of appropriate radiographs, your surgeon will discuss the surgical treatment and anesthetic options. During this time, pre-operative instructions will be reviewed with you.

While recovery from extractions is generally uneventful, it would be prudent to limit physical activity for the first 24-48 hours post-operatively. If an intravenous or general anesthetic is to be used for your surgery, avoid intake of any food or liquids from the midnight prior to your surgery. Your surgeon will review your current medications with you. Some medications, such as blood pressure medicines or heart pills, may be taken with sips of water, while some need to be avoided. Additionally, if sedation or general anesthesia is being planned, you would need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.