We believe that every tooth is precious and one of the main goals of modern dentistry will always be the prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be taken to preserve and maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon

• Severe Decay
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Infection or abscess
• Orthodontic correction
• Mal-positioned teeth
• Fractured teeth or roots
• Impacted teeth

Extracting teeth is made less difficult when the general principles of oral surgery are understood and practiced. If your dentist has recommended that a tooth be extracted, the following information will help you get through the first few days after your extraction. Should anything occur that seems out of the normal, do not hesitate to call your dentist.

• Pain management must be addressed. Various pain management techniques must be used including: medical management (pre-surgical and post-surgical medications), regional nerve blocks, and local nerve blocks.
• The top (coronal) 1/3 of the alveolar bone surrounding the tooth has 2/3rds of the holding power.
• Periodontal fibers are not designed to withstand slow, continuous torque.
• Multi-rooted teeth are transformed into single-rooted teeth.
• Gingival preservation is paramount.
• Complete extraction of root confirmed by radiograph.
• Closure of alveolus to maintain blood clot.

The first step is the taking of dental radiographs to assist in extraction planning. This provides concrete evidence that an extraction is the only procedure possible and makes the action defensible in a court of law. The techniques of extraction include surgical and non-surgical procedures. Following a close study of your radiographs your dentist will be in a position to advise you on which is the best procedure for you.

Non - Surgical Extraction

This method will be suggested when the affected tooth is already loose. Non-surgical extraction is performed by placing gentle traction and rotation on the affected tooth with dental forceps or needle holders. Excess tissue is removed as carefully as possible so as to avoid fracture. Once clean, the alveolus can be filled with osteoinductive materials, impregnated resins, or the newer bone morphogenic materials. After filling, the alveolus is sealed. Following the procedure we will try and make you as comfortable as possible by providing home care support including antibiotic therapy, pain management, and dietary advice.

Surgical Extraction

Surgical extraction is performed on non-mobile teeth with normal or near normal attachment levels. If your dentist has studied your radiographs and concluded that extraction is necessary the next step will be the creation of a surgical flap. Your highly skilled oral surgeon will make a precise incision providing room to remove the alveolar bone. Following this the surgeon will isolate and gently elevate the roots of your tooth. After sufficient bone removal and elevation, the tooth root should become mobile. Small dental forceps or needle holders are used to grasp the tooth crown and then rotate the tooth on its long axis. Your surgeon will rotate the tooth to the point of resistance for 20 to 30 seconds. The rotation is then reversed and again held for 20 to 30 seconds. By using slow, continuous forces, the fibers are torn and the tooth becomes loose enough for gentle traction to remove it from its socket.

After the roots have been successfully removed, a post-extraction radiograph will confirm that the operation has been successful. The alveolus can then be treated and sealed in the same way as practiced in the non-surgical extraction.