Tooth Extractions

Having a tooth extracted may seem like a scary, painful procedure. But at Trinity Family Dental, that’s not the case. With our caring and patient-focused approach to extractions, and sedation dentistry available, we can help you get through your extraction procedure with minimal discomfort. 

There are many conditions that may require you to have a tooth extracted.

The most common, by far, is improperly-erupting wisdom teeth. When the wisdom teeth grow in during the late teens and early twenties, there is often not enough room for them to erupt properly. This is particularly common if you have had orthodontic work.

Because of this, the wisdom teeth may become impacted (not erupt all the way). They may also grow in at an improper angle, or crowd out your other teeth. If this is the case, extraction of wisdom teeth is usually recommended.

Tooth extractions may also be required if an infected tooth cannot be treated with a root canal, or if the root canal fails to remove the source of the infection. It may also be required if an impact injury damages your tooth, and it cannot be repaired with a dental crown.

Finally, tooth extractions may be necessary in cases of severe periodontal disease, if the roots and internal structure of the teeth have decayed, and they cannot be saved.

The most common type of tooth extraction is called a “simple extraction.” As the name suggests, the procedure is very easy to understand. First, your mouth will be cleaned and numbed using a local anesthetic. Sedation may also be administered if desired.

Then, Dr. Shen will use a special dental tool called an “elevator” to loosen the tooth in the socket. Once it’s been loosened, special dental forceps will be used to remove the tooth by grabbing the root.

Then, the area will be cleaned and disinfected, and the socket will be sutured shut, completing the procedure.

In some cases, such as if the tooth has not erupted or is severely damaged, a surgical extraction is required. This is a similar procedure, but the tooth must be cut into pieces to be removed, and an incision in the gums may be required to access the root of the tooth and remove it.

With professional, minimally-invasive treatment and sedation from Dr. Timothy Shen, a tooth extraction doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you suspect your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, or you need a tooth extraction for any other reason, please contact the team at Trinity Family Dental right away to schedule your appointment. You can give us a call at (619) 469-4144, or stop by our office at 5308 Lake Murray Blvd. Ste. E La Mesa, CA 91942.