Erie, Harborcreek and Millcreek, PA

Although the staff of Laser Dentistry of Erie, LLC, makes every effort to prevent tooth loss, certain situations dictate that the best choice for the health of the patient is to remove a tooth. This is known as an extraction.

Do I need to have a tooth extracted?

Laser Dentistry of Erie considers extraction to be the final option when evaluating potential treatments. We evaluate each case and determine whether or not an extraction is needed.

That said, the following are common reasons why a tooth should be extracted:

• Damage from an injury, when tooth is not savable
• Extensive damage from tooth decay in which a filling or crown will not save the tooth
• Loss of supporting bone structure caused by gum disease or deterioration due to other missing teeth
• Crowding in the mouth, for orthodontic purposes or removal of wisdom teeth (third molars)

Surgical extractions

Did you know that a tooth extraction is the most common type of surgery performed in America?

Any time an extraction requires cutting into gum tissue or bone to remove a tooth, it is referred to as a surgical extraction.

One common type of surgical extraction removes third molars, which also are known as wisdom teeth. These teeth emerge at the back of the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Often, emerging wisdom teeth cause crowding in the mouth and exert tremendous force on your permanent teeth. Left untreated, this force leads to jaw problems, including temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), tooth pain or decay, or gum infections. It is recommended to extract wisdom teeth when they are first detected.

Post-procedure care

Any patient who has an extraction will experience mild discomfort and tenderness. After an extraction is performed, we recommend resting for the rest of the day, then resuming a normal routine of activity. Make sure to maintain a thorough regimen of oral hygiene following an extraction, including the temporary use of an oral rinse after eating to prevent food particles from building at the extraction site. This build-up can lead to an infection.

Following your extraction procedure, you will be given a specific list of instructions to follow to ensure your extraction site heals properly.

Does you or a member of your family need to have a tooth extracted? If so, contact the office of Laser Dentistry of Erie by calling (814) 616-3130.

Laser Dentistry of Erie serves Erie, PA and the surrounding areas.