A tooth may need to be extracted if we are unable to repair it due to advanced decay, fracture or bone loss. We make every effort to save natural teeth because once a tooth is lost, your replacement options are never as good.
Procedure
Before removing a tooth, we will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. Most extractions can be done “simply” without the cutting or removal of gum or bone. If a tooth is broken or badly damaged, the gum tissues may need to be cut and pushed back so that the tooth fragments can be removed.
After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed after a few days. You may be referred to an Oral Surgeon for you extraction if Dr. Shore feels it will be better for you to be sedated during the procedure. This is especially true for wisdom teeth.
Post-Treatment Care Instructions
For post-treatment care instructions following an extraction of a child or adult, click on one of the links below (instructions are in Adobe PDF file format; if you need the Adobe Reader software to view these files, visit the Adobe website by clicking here):