Tooth Extraction

When Are Dental Extractions Necessary?

Teens and young adults routinely have their wisdom teeth—back molars—removed. This is often necessary because the wisdom teeth may not have enough space to properly erupt from beneath the gum line. An impacted (non-erupted or partially erupted) wisdom tooth can cause complications, such as pain, infections, dental cysts, and damage to the adjacent tooth.

With the exception of wisdom teeth, our dentists will always try to save your natural teeth. However, dental extractions may be necessary if your teeth are too badly damaged by decay or physical trauma. Occasionally, compromised teeth may need to be removed in preparation for chemotherapy or an organ transplant. Lastly, some individuals with highly crowded mouths may require extraction in preparation for receiving orthodontic treatment.

How Much Do Dental Extractions Cost?

The total cost of your visit will depend on a number of factors, such as how many teeth need to be removed and whether you’ll require any additional treatments. For example, people who require tooth extractions may also have gum disease. If this is the case, we’ll need to treat it so you don’t lose any more teeth.

The cost of dental extractions is also dependent upon the type of restoration you choose. Dr. Janet Century, Dr. Karan Singla and the rest of our friendly team will explain all of your restoration options, including dental implants, dentures, bridges, and implant-supported dentures. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each, what you can expect from each procedure, and which one we recommend for your unique smile. We’ll also determine your expected total cost ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

Why Emergency Dental Extractions Aren’t Painful

People often delay getting the dental care they need because they’re worried it will be painful and stressful. At Lakeside Dental, we specialize in stress-free, pain-free dentistry. Whether you’re undergoing a planned or emergency tooth extraction, we’ll go the extra mile to make your experience a positive one.

It starts with our therapy dog, Nano. You can enjoy cuddling with Nano while you receive your treatment. Our patients often find this helps relieve stress. Next, we use next-generation syringes. This means you’ll barely feel the anesthetic injections. Our dentists will ensure you’re thoroughly numb before proceeding. We always set aside extra time for our procedures so that nothing is rushed and so our staff can be as gentle as possible. Afterward, you’ll receive a prescription to help you manage your comfort level.

What to Expect From Tooth Extractions

At Lakeside Dental, we pride ourselves on thorough patient education. Before we begin, Dr. Century or Dr. Singla will explain every step of the procedure, taking the time to answer all of your questions. She’ll also perform detailed surgical planning with the help of imaging studies, and she will review your medical history.

For some extractions, dental instruments such as an elevator and forceps are used to loosen and remove the tooth. These are simple extractions, which only require local anesthesia.

More complex extractions typically call for sedation dentistry, such as oral conscious or intravenous (IV) sedation. These FDA-approved medications are used to help you relax and ensure that you won’t feel any discomfort. During a complex extraction, Dr. Century will make a small incision in the gums in order to remove the tooth.

Before you leave our office, we’ll provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and explain what to expect from the recovery process. We encourage you to call our office if you have any questions or concerns during this time.