Tooth Extractions in Easley & Seneca, SC
You and Dr. Joudeh, Dr. Bowie, Dr. Proulx or Dr. Holliday may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.
To avoid these complications, in most cases, Drs. Joudeh, Bowie, Proulx or Holliday will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.
When to See an Oral Surgeon for a Tooth Extraction
Many tooth extractions can be straightforward, but some situations may benefit from the specialized training of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon when a tooth is impacted, severely broken or damaged, difficult to access, or expected to require a more involved surgical approach.
An oral surgeon may also be recommended when your treatment involves additional planning, such as bone grafting or future dental implant placement, or when anesthesia or sedation options need to be considered as part of your care. Upstate OMS can coordinate these steps within a personalized surgical plan based on the condition of the tooth and surrounding bone, as well as your broader treatment needs.
The Tooth Extraction Process
At the time of extraction, the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.
During the extraction process, you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.
You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves, stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.
If you feel any pain during the extraction, please let us know right away.
After treatment, follow your extraction aftercare instructions to protect the blood clot and support healing. If several teeth are removed in a single visit, your team may provide multiple extraction instructions based on your treatment plan.
Sectioning a Tooth
Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket, or the root is curved, and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor cuts the tooth into sections, then removes each section one at a time.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
A tooth may need to be removed when it is severely decayed, affected by advanced periodontal disease, broken in a way that cannot be repaired, poorly positioned or impacted, or being removed as part of orthodontic treatment. At Upstate OMS, Dr. Joudeh, Dr. Bowie, Dr. Proulx, or Dr. Holliday will evaluate the tooth and discuss appropriate treatment options, including replacement of the tooth when needed.
A simple extraction is generally used when a tooth is visible in the mouth and can be removed without more extensive surgical access. A surgical extraction may be needed when a tooth is impacted, broken, difficult to access, or firmly anchored. In some cases, Upstate OMS may section the tooth into smaller pieces so it can be removed more carefully one section at a time.
Before the extraction, Upstate OMS numbs the tooth, surrounding gums, and jawbone with local anesthetic. You may feel pressure as the tooth is loosened, but the anesthetic is used to control pain during the procedure. If you feel pain at any point, let your surgical team know right away. Some soreness afterward is expected as the area heals.
Local anesthesia is commonly used for tooth extractions to numb the surgical area. Depending on the complexity of the extraction, your health history, and your comfort needs, other anesthesia and sedation options may also be considered. Upstate OMS offers options ranging from local anesthetic and nitrous oxide to IV sedation and office-based general anesthesia, with the appropriate approach determined for each patient.
An oral surgeon may be appropriate when a tooth is impacted, broken below the gumline, difficult to access, or expected to require a more involved surgical approach. Oral surgeons are also trained in anesthesia and in procedures that may be needed as part of a broader treatment plan, such as bone grafting or dental implant placement.
At Upstate OMS, the surgical team can evaluate the extraction and discuss whether additional treatment may be needed to prepare for future tooth replacement.