Schedule a Tooth Extraction

Serving Patients in Vancouver WA

In a perfect world, your natural teeth would last a lifetime. Sometimes, despite our best efforts at daily oral hygiene, teeth become infected or are damaged and cannot be saved. Having a tooth removed is also known as exodontia, dental extraction, tooth removal, or tooth pulling. When your dentist advises that your tooth needs to be removed, it is only after a determination that it cannot be restored, repaired, or saved.

A damaged or infected tooth does not have the ability to repair itself. While teeth are living structures, they can’t heal on their own. This is why we recommend taking care of dental issues as soon as possible before infections can spread or additional damage occurs.

The cost of a tooth extraction can vary, depending on the amount of dental work involved, the location of the tooth in the mouth, and if there are any additional medical considerations, such as heart problems. Patients with additional health conditions may need antibiotics before, after, and during the procedure. The majority of dental insurance plans will include coverage for most, or all, of a tooth extraction cost.

Common Reasons for a Tooth Extraction

There are many reasons why a tooth needs to be removed. Some of the most common reasons are:

• Extensive trauma or damage
• Severe decay or infection
• Too many teeth, called supernumerary
• Orthodontic treatment for evenly spaced and aligned teeth

Procedure for Teeth Extraction

There are two procedures used for extracting teeth, simple and surgical. Both procedures are performed in the dentist’s office and are typically completed during one visit. Patients who are taking medications for heart ailments may be required to take an antibiotic before and after the procedure.

• Simple Extraction: This method of tooth removal is for those teeth that the dentist can see and reach without the need to cut into the gum line or the supporting bone structure. The patient is given a local anesthetic to numb the procedure area.
• Surgical Extraction: This method of tooth removal is used when the tooth cannot easily be seen or reached without some form of surgical procedure. Typically, this process is required when a tooth has been broken off close to the gum line or the tooth has not fully emerged from the gum line. This process is also used for a tooth sectioning when the tooth needs to be broken up and taken out in pieces. Sutures may be required to close the area.

Experienced Teeth Extraction Dentists

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we believe in taking care of the whole patient. This may sometimes necessitate a tooth extraction. We provide a number of solutions for missing teeth, including dental implants! Contact us today to schedule an appointment today.