Need a Dental Extraction? Here’s What To Expect [Video Guide]

At Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry, we prioritize the least invasive dental care whenever possible. That may mean preventing problems before they start or saving a damaged tooth with restorative treatment, such as a root canal. However, there are times when a dental extraction is best for your oral health.

In some cases, extracting the tooth can relieve pain, help keep infection from spreading, or make room for a healthier, more functional smile. In her 30+ years of dentistry, Dr. Stingley has extensive experience with extractions. She uses a careful technique to help minimize trauma to the surrounding tissue. In some cases, she can follow up by immediately replacing the tooth with a mini dental implant!

Common Reasons for a Dental Extraction

When Dr. Stingley recommends a dental extraction, it’s for good reason. She removes teeth that contribute to a greater problem for your oral health. She may recommend an extraction when a tooth is:

• Severely decayed or damaged
• Broken beyond repair
• Impacted, as wisdom teeth often are
• Loosened by advanced gum disease

These are some of the most common reasons for extractions. Others are more specific to a patient’s unique anatomy, bite, or tooth development.

Patients sometimes present with a mesiodens. This is an extra tooth that develops in the midline between the two upper front teeth. A mesiodens may cause crowding, misalignment, or delayed eruption of nearby teeth in the upper front center of the mouth if left unaddressed. In some cases, these effects can lead to root resorption, or the loss of the tooth’s root structure. If the extra tooth pushes against an adjacent tooth, the pressure can cause the root to break down over time, potentially leading to an otherwise healthy tooth loosening and falling out.

Sometimes, Dr. Stingley recommends extracting severely misaligned teeth where orthodontics isn’t practical. Teeth may be misaligned because the jaw is too small for the size and number of teeth in the mouth. This can result in severe crowding and crossbites, making it difficult for patients to keep their teeth clean.

In these cases, removing the problem tooth may be the best way to protect your long-term oral health.

The Dental Extraction Process

If you’ve been told you need a dental extraction, you might be worried about how uncomfortable it will be. Our practice prioritizes your comfort with targeted local anesthesia and oral or nitrous sedation if you need it.

Dr. Stingley takes her time and performs the procedure properly to avoid damage to surrounding tissues. She gently loosens, or luxates, the tooth. This technique is intended to minimize trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth, also called the mucosa.

While Dr. Stingley removes the tooth, she applies pressure to help stabilize the socket and support clot formation and tissue adaptation. This helps the socket close more cleanly.

Thanks to her thoughtful approach to tooth extractions, Dr. Stingley has noticed that patients tend to heal more comfortably after the procedure.

After an extraction, you’ll be given clear instructions on how to keep the area clean. You’ll be instructed to gently rinse with saltwater. Dr. Stingley will also clarify the best way to brush your teeth and which foods to eat during healing.

Replace Your Tooth on the Same Day With Mini Implants

Dr. Stingley wants to make the extraction process as comfortable as possible. But sometimes your situation calls for us to take out a tooth you really don’t want to lose. This could be a front tooth in the smile line, or a molar you chew with every day. Extracting a tooth doesn’t mean you need to deal with an incomplete smile forever.

The beauty of mini implants is that they can help close the gap in your smile very soon after your extraction. These small, titanium posts secure a crown to restore your smile.

We can replace those teeth with implants and a temporary restoration. Because mini implants are smaller than traditional implants, they can often be placed with a less invasive technique. When the area is healthy enough, Dr. Stingley may be able to place a mini implant and temporary restoration on the same day as the extraction.

To position a mini implant, Dr. Stingley makes a small hole in the gums and anchors the post into the jawbone. Then, she can secure a temporary crown right away so you leave with a complete smile. In a few weeks, you’ll return for the final restoration.

Come in for a Free Screening!

Sometimes, a dental extraction is the best way to protect your oral health. When removing a tooth, Dr. Stingley uses a careful, controlled approach to support a smoother healing process and help patients feel comfortable from start to finish. When appropriate, she may also be able to replace the tooth with a mini dental implant and temporary restoration the same day.

If you have been told you need a dental extraction, you deserve to understand why it is being recommended and what options are available afterward. Dr. Stingley will evaluate your tooth, explain your treatment options, and help you choose the option that best supports your long-term oral health. If you think you need a dental extraction, schedule your free screening today to learn the next steps.