Extractions

Boulder Oral Surgery

An extraction is the process of removing a tooth from its socket in the bone. A tooth extraction is usually relatively straightforward, and can most often be performed quickly and while the patient is awake. Local anesthetic injections can be utilized to help manage pain.

Reasons for extraction

  • Infection: If decay inside a tooth reaches the pulp – which is the center of the tooth that contains all the blood vessels and nerves – bacteria can then enter the pulp and can cause a terrible infection. This can usually be taken care of by receiving root canal therapy. However, sometimes the infection is too severe, or a root canal therapy does not cure it. In these cases, extraction can be the only way to stop the spread of the infection.
  • Crowding: Sometimes, in preparation for braces, a tooth will need to be pulled. Your braces may not work correctly if your teeth are too large for your mouth.
  • Periodontal (Gum) Disease: If gum disease, which is an infection of the soft tissues of the mouth, has caused significant loosening of your tooth, it may need to be taken out completely.
  • Wisdom teeth: Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common extractions. Dr. Lopez is your trusted Boulder wisdom teeth extraction provider.

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Process of extraction

Before beginning the extraction or any of the Boulder oral surgery services Dr. Lopez provides, he will thoroughly numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic, making sure to numb the tooth itself, the surrounding gums, and your jawbone.

During the extraction, you will most likely feel a lot of pressure. To loosen the tooth for removal, it will be firmly rocked back and forth. But because of the anesthetic, you should not feel any pain during this process.

However, there can be complications relating to the roots of a tooth, the shape of a tooth or the tooth’s position, all of which should be apparent once your x-rays have been viewed. If a tooth is buried in bone, a more surgical approach may be required. The gum may need to be cut away and the bone may need to be removed using a surgical drill. In situations like this, your anesthetic options might vary, depending on the severity, and stitches would be used to replace the gum to the normal position. Dr. Lopez’s extensive training and experience make him the dentist to trust for your Boulder oral surgery.