Tooth Extractions | Milford, CT

A tooth extraction is sometimes recommended when all other treatments to save a tooth have failed, it is damaging other teeth, or for orthodontic reasons. If you and Dr. Ciuci, or Dr. Perrone determine that a tooth needs to be removed, a treatment plan will be developed, including a discussion of alternatives to extraction and possible tooth replacement options.

What is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. It is the last resort to treat trauma, injury, decay, crowding, or orthodontic issues.

Simple vs. Surgical Tooth Extraction

Simple tooth extractions are performed on visible teeth by carefully moving them back and forth in the socket until they are loose enough to remove with dental forceps. This procedure is usually performed using a local anesthetic.

Surgical tooth removal is performed on teeth that are trapped in the jawbone or have broken at or below the gum line. We access the tooth by cutting into the gum tissue. If necessary, we remove any bone covering the tooth and may section the tooth, cutting it into smaller pieces for easier removal. We can perform surgical tooth extractions under IV sedation for patient comfort.

Why Tooth Extractions May Be Recommended

There are many reasons your dentist, Dr. Ciuci, or Dr. Perrone might recommend a tooth extraction, including:

• Severe tooth decay or infection
• Traumatic injury
• Advanced periodontal disease
• The tooth is broken below the gum line
• Overcrowding
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Failed root canal
• Orthodontic treatment

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Expertise

Although some dentists perform simple tooth removal, many refer their patients to oral surgeons for tooth extractions. An oral surgeon is the best choice for any complex extraction, including impaction, severely fractured teeth, and teeth with complex root structures. As oral surgeons, we have years of additional training in surgical techniques and dealing with complications.

We are also uniquely qualified in multiple forms of sedation and anesthesia, as well as handling multiple extractions. Oral surgeons minimize potential risks of nerve damage, sinus involvement, and unnecessary trauma for a safer procedure with minimal trauma, smoother recovery, and optimal outcomes.

Tooth Extraction Options and Considerations

Tooth extraction is not a simple decision. There are options to consider. Our doctors will review your options with you at your consultation. Considerations will include:

• Whether you need a simple or surgical extraction.
• The type of sedation used. Depending on your anxiety level, medical history, and the difficulty of the procedure, options range from local anesthesia to nitrous oxide or IV sedation.
• Whether the extracted tooth needs to be replaced and which options are appropriate, including implants, bridges, or partial dentures.
• Healing and the importance of following your aftercare instructions to prevent complications such as dry socket.

When to See an Oral Surgeon

You should see an oral surgeon any time a tooth extraction is complex, such as a tooth broken below the gumline, long or complex tooth roots, an impaction, or if you are considering IV sedation because of dental anxiety. The complexity and elevated risk associated with wisdom tooth extraction make oral surgeons the most qualified providers for this procedure.

Tooth Extraction FAQs

Do all damaged or impacted teeth need extraction?

No. Not all teeth are damaged severely enough to be removed. Whenever possible, damaged or decayed teeth are repaired rather than extracted. If an impacted tooth is not causing any symptoms, such as pain, and is not affecting the other teeth, your dentist may choose to leave it in place and monitor it. The goal is always to save a tooth when possible, rather than remove it. Tooth extraction is the last resort.

At what age should a tooth be evaluated for extraction?

It depends on the type of tooth. Wisdom teeth should be evaluated between the ages of 16 and 25, before the roots have grown longer and when removal is simpler and recovery easier. If a baby tooth does not fall out naturally between ages 6 and 12 and is causing overcrowding, severe decay, or severe damage, it should be evaluated. Some children undergoing orthodontic treatment need to have teeth evaluated for removal during their pre-teen or early teen years.

What is the extraction process?

At the time of extraction, the surgeon will numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround that area with a local anesthetic. The anesthetic will numb your nerves, stopping the transference of pain, so only pressure will be felt. As the surgery proceeds, if any pain is felt, inform the surgeon immediately so that may be rectified.

Will a drill be used?

Some teeth may need to come out in pieces, which is called sectioning. Sectioning is a very common procedure, done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket cannot expand enough to remove it. The surgeon simply cuts the tooth into sections, then removes each section, one at a time.

Please contact our office at Milford Phone Number 203-874-1664 if you have any questions about tooth extraction.