Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are a common procedure preformed at an oral surgery office. It may be necessary in order to preserve the health of other teeth and oral structures. At LoneStar OMS, our oral surgeons are trained to extract teeth efficiently and safely, eliminating situations that may compromise your oral health.

If you have one or more teeth that need to be removed, one of our doctors will outline your treatment plan during a consultation appointment.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

• Impacted Teeth
  Impacted teeth are teeth that do not erupt fully and get trapped in the jawbone.  Wisdom teeth are commonly impacted.  These teeth can cause infection, pain, cysts and tumors and can injure adjacent teeth.
• Orthodontic Treatment
  Some orthodontic treatment involves removing teeth to relieve crowding. When there are too many teeth for the size of the dental arches, there may not be enough space to align them. A common solution is to create the necessary space by removing teeth to allow the others to be aligned correctly. 
  
• Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
  Periodontal disease is an inflammatory response in the gums and bone around the teeth that can get infected and/or cause bone loss around the roots of the teeth.  These teeth will eventually loosen and require removal.
• Tooth Decay
  Tooth decay (cavities) can progress until the tooth causes pain and infection.  Once the decay gets too deep, the tooth may become non-restorable and will need to be removed.

The Procedure

After visiting your dentist for an oral exam, you will know whether or not you will require a tooth extraction.  Your dentist can remove teeth but will often refer you to an Oral Surgeon, as they are considered the experts at tooth extractions and can offer sedation options, if needed.  When visiting LoneStar OMS, one of our oral surgeons will perform an oral exam and take additional x-rays (if necessary) to properly diagnose your oral health concerns.

A tooth extraction could take up to an hour (depending on the number of teeth), and is an in-office procedure. Patients have the option of nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia in addition to local anesthetic, to provide optimum comfort during your procedure. Anesthesia options will be discussed with you during your consultation, along with your post-surgery care instructions. You should be back to your normal routine within a few days.