Tooth Extractions in Middletown, NY

Tooth removals or extractions are very common and, for the most part, are a simple procedure to perform. Your teeth are attached to the jaw bone with fibers called periodontal ligaments. The dentist can detach these ligaments by expertly manipulating the tooth. Once the ligaments are separated from the jaw bone, the tooth can be easily removed.

Why a Tooth May Need to be Removed

Most people requiring a tooth extraction come to Dolson Avenue Dental because they have a toothache. The dentist will explore various options to relief the pain and save the tooth. As a last resort, an extraction may be required. Common reasons to have a tooth pulled include:

• Severely cracked or broken tooth
  There are times when general wear and tear or an injury can cause a tooth to break or crack. If the damage is minor, the tooth can be saved by placing a crown on it. If the damage to the tooth has penetrated into the living connective tissue in the center of the tooth called the pulp, a root canal may be needed before a crown is placed on it. There are times, however, when the tooth is too damaged to save. Then the rotten tooth must be extracted.
• Severe decay (cavity)
  Dental decay is an infection that erodes the enamel that covers the tooth, causing a cavity, which is literally a hole in the tooth. Small cavities can be filled. Larger cavities can be covered with a crown. But if the decay has caused an infection and the patient is in a great deal of pain, the dentist may either recommend a root canal to save the tooth or an extraction.
• Baby tooth retained
  There are times when baby teeth don’t fall out naturally. This can prevent permanent teeth from growing in. When this occurs, the dentist may need to remove the baby tooth so the permanent tooth can emerge through the gum line.
• Crowded teeth / Tooth removal for orthodontics
  Some people have jaws that are simply too small to hold all of their teeth in proper alignment. As a result, the teeth begin to crowd each other and shift out of position. The dentist may recommend that one or more teeth be extracted to make room for the other teeth. Usually, an orthodontic treatment, such as braces, may be needed to straighten the remaining teeth.
• Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is caused when bacteria infects the gum tissue that hold the teeth in place. This can cause the gums to separate from the teeth and dislodge the ligaments that attach the teeth to the jaw bone. The patient may notice the tooth is loose. If it becomes too loose, it may fall out on its own or need to be pulled.
• Wisdom teeth don’t come in properly
  Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that that begin to push through the gum line at the back of the jaw between the ages of 17 to 25. Oftentimes, there isn’t enough room in the jaw to accommodate these new teeth so they begin to push against the existing teeth, causing pain. These are called impacted wisdom teeth. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to have them removed.

If your dentist determines that you require a “simple tooth extraction,” that means the dentist believes the shape and condition of the tooth roots means the tooth can be easily pulled. This is called an uncomplicated extraction.

In most cases, a tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure that can be performed by a general dentist in the comfort of our Dolson Avenue Dental office. There are times, however, when our dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to perform the tooth extraction.

Wisdom Tooth Removal in Middletown

Most people have four wisdom teeth that come through the gum line during the later teen or early adult years. This third set of molars is commonly known as wisdom teeth because they grow in when the patient has reached the age of maturity.

Sometimes there is not enough room in the jaw for these molars to grow in and they begin to push against the existing teeth, causing a variety of oral health concerns. Our team at Dolson Avenue Dental will take x-rays to determine if you are having any of the following problems:

• The jaw is too small for the wisdom teeth to properly come through the gum line
• The wisdom teeth have only partially erupted through the gum line
• The wisdom teeth are growing in at an angle
• The wisdom teeth are damaging the adjacent teeth
• The wisdom teeth are damaging the jaw bone
• The wisdom teeth are leading to a gum infection

Our dentist may advise you to have the wisdom teeth removed to eliminate any of these problems or prevent future ones. Dentists recommend removal of the wisdom teeth before the age of 25 because the roots of the wisdom teeth are not fully developed and the jaw bone is not as dense as it will become as you age.

If our dentist can perform the extraction in our office, we will refer you to an oral surgeon.

Call Dolson Avenue Dental Today to Schedule an Exam

To determine if you need a tooth pulled, call our office to schedule an appointment. We will take x-rays and evaluate the condition of your teeth. Then we will discuss whether we can save the natural or if it needs to be extracted.