Dental Extractions Specialist
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Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon located in Philadelphia, PA & Cinnaminson, NJ
It’s usually best to keep your oral structures as intact as possible, but there are some situations where a tooth can cause more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re in need of a dental extraction, schedule a visit with Marc Rothman, DMD, and M. David Kim, DMD, at Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. The team provides safe and effective extractions at the practice’s beautiful and modern offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Booking a visit is easy: just call either office or use the online tool.
Dental Extractions Q&A
What are some reasons for dental extractions?
While your oral surgeon and dentist will take every measure possible to try and save your tooth first, there are some conditions where it’s more advantageous for your oral health to remove a tooth entirely, like:
- Severe decay
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Tooth broken beyond repair
- Poorly positioned or impacted teeth
You might also need to have a tooth removed if an orthodontist suggests doing so to make more space in your mouth for orthodontic treatment.
What are the consequences of a dental extraction?
In some cases, removing a tooth can lead to other complications, including:
- Impaired chewing ability
- Problems with the jaw joint
- Teeth shifting out of alignment
- Loss of bone tissue in your jaw
To prevent these issues from developing, your oral surgeon might recommend additional procedures, like bone grafts, or replacing your extracted tooth with a dental implant.
What are the steps involved in a dental extraction?
First, you and your oral surgeon discuss your options for sedation dentistry, which might include light, moderate, or deep sedation, depending on your needs and preferences. You’ll also get an injection of local anesthetic to numb the tooth, jawbone, and gums at the extraction site.
Then, your oral surgeon uses a device called an elevator to loosen your tooth. If you’re conscious for your procedure, you’ll feel a slight pressure during this step. Your local anesthetic, however, prevents you from feeling any pain.
When your tooth is significantly loose, your oral surgeon uses a tool called forceps to remove it. Then, they administer sutures to close the hole and pack the extraction site with gauze.
What is sectioning?
In some cases, your oral surgeon is unable to extract your tooth from its socket intact. This might happen if your socket won’t widen enough or if the root of your tooth is too curved.
If this is the case, your oral surgeon might need to section the tooth. Sectioning is a common procedure wherein your oral surgeon carefully cuts your tooth into smaller sections before removing it.
To learn more about the extraction process, or to schedule your extraction today, call the offices of Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery or book an appointment online.
