We Strive to Make You Comfortable during Tooth Extraction

At Redlands Family Dentistry, we make every effort to help our patients preserve their teeth. However, in some cases, it is necessary to undergo tooth extraction in order to maintain oral health. Dr. Frederick Hoffer and Dr. Grace Kim perform several types of tooth extractions, including complex wisdom tooth removal. We use sedation, anesthesia, and gentle techniques to make sure that our patients remain comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough exam to assess the health of your teeth and determine whether tooth extraction is necessary. Contact our Redlands, CA, practice today to schedule an appointment.

Reasons for Extraction

Extraction may become necessary for several reasons, including:

• Infection - Advanced decay or damage may require extraction. A root canal can sometimes save the outer structure of the tooth, but it is not always a viable option.
• Gum Disease - Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, may eventually cause your tooth to become loose. At this stage of the disease, the tooth must be extracted in order to begin treatment.
• Wisdom Teeth - These "third molars" usually develop between the ages of 17 and 25. In some cases, wisdom teeth do not require removal. However, in other cases, there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow or develop properly. In this case, removal is the best way to preserve oral health.
• Crowding - If your mouth is too small to accommodate all of your teeth, some teeth may require extraction. Teeth are often removed in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

During your visit to our practice, you will have the opportunity to learn more about why tooth extraction is performed, and whether it should be incorporated into your treatment plan.

The Procedure

We make every effort to keep our patients as comfortable as possible during the tooth extraction procedure. Once the sedation and anesthesia is administered, we will gradually loosen the tooth until it can be extracted. The area will be packed with gauze to minimize bleeding. When necessary, we can prescribe pain medication.

Recovery

We will provide detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through your recovery. You will have to eat soft foods for a prescribed amount of time, and gradually add solid foods back into your diet as healing continues. During your consultation, we will take all the time necessary to answer any questions you may have about any stage of treatment.

Restoration Options

In the absence of tooth roots, the jawbone will begin to atrophy, or shrink. Therefore, with the exception of wisdom teeth, it is recommended that you replace extracted teeth with dental implants, the only restorative solution that can halt jaw atrophy. Dental implants can support different types of restorations, including dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. We use the CEREC® system to craft same-day crowns and bridges. We will discuss this option before your extraction procedure.

Learn More

To schedule a consultation and learn more about tooth extraction, contact us today. During your appointment, we will create a custom treatment plan to address your dental issues, improve your overall oral health, and revitalize your smile.