Tooth Extraction Specialist
DHS Dental
Jae Won Lee, DDS
General Dentistry located in Desert Hot Springs, CA
Getting a tooth pulled is unpleasant, but occasionally an extraction is required to prevent further health complications. For quick and professional extractions, see the highly trained team at DHS Dental in Desert Hot Springs, California. We're the place to go when you need to have a tooth pulled. Call the office or schedule a consultation online.
Tooth Extraction Q & A
Why would I need an extraction?
Even though permanent teeth are made to last your lifetime, it doesn't always happen. For instance, you might need to have a tooth extracted because it is too severely damaged to keep. Trauma, decay, and lifestyle can all lead to needing a tooth pulled.
Other reasons for extractions include:
- Risk of infection from an unsuccessful root canal
- Risk of infection during chemotherapy or an organ transplant
- Advanced periodontal (gum) disease
- Extra or crowded teeth
- No room for third molars (wisdom teeth)
What is the procedure for extraction?
There are two types of extraction procedures: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction. A simple extraction is performed on a tooth that is visible in your mouth. In a simple extraction, the tooth is loosened with a small tool called an elevator, then taken out with dental forceps.
Surgical extraction is a bit more complicated. The tooth may not have come through the surface of your gums, as is common with wisdom teeth, or it may have broken off at your gum line. To perform a surgical extraction the dentist will need to make a small cut in your gum to lift the tooth out. Sometimes the tooth needs to be sectioned, or cut into smaller pieces, to be removed. It may also be necessary to remove some of the bone around the affected tooth.
Your dentist gives you an injection (a local anesthetic) to numb your mouth before a simple extraction or surgical extraction, so you shouldn't feel any pain. If you're having a couple of teeth removed at one appointment, as is common with wisdom teeth extraction, your dentist might give you a local anesthetic. You'll feel no pain and will sleep through the procedure.
How long does it take to heal from a tooth extraction?
Depending on how many teeth you had extracted and your specific circumstances, healing usually takes one or two weeks. New bone and gum tissue will slowly replace the areas where your teeth were removed. You may experience pain and discomfort or difficulty chewing as you heal, depending on the extent of your dental surgery.
Because everyone's circumstances are different, you should reach out to DHS Dental and book a consultation to find out about your options plus any necessary post-procedure treatments such as crowns or dental implants.
Call or schedule online using the booking tool.