Tooth Extractions Whittier, CA

A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket. When we remove a tooth, we have numerous restorative treatment options to restore the tooth and help improve your oral health.

We do our best to help patients save their teeth. Basically, that’s our number one goal. However, we understand that things happen, and extractions can be unavoidable at times.

Why Do I Need an Extraction?

Extractions are performed most commonly because of irreparable damage to the tooth because of dental decay or trauma. Periodontal disease is also a common cause of dental extractions in Whittier. Some patients have had to undergo extractions because of overcrowding in their mouth, which can make it impossible to thoroughly clean the teeth, increasing the likelihood of decay and gum disease.

Extractions might be your best option if you have an infected tooth since extracting it can give you relief from pain and prevent the infection from spreading.

How Can I Tell if I Need a Dental Extraction?

Dr. Omid starts by consulting with his patients. To start, he’ll perform an oral examination and take digital x-rays. These diagnostic tools help him evaluate the health of your gums and teeth while also showing him what he can’t see with the naked eye:

Infections in the teeth
Deep dental decay in between the teeth
Bone loss

After his exam, Dr. Omid will discuss why you need a dental extraction and explain why restoring a missing tooth is so important. He’ll go on to create a custom treatment plan that entails the extraction, as well as restoration options that fit your needs and budget.

Do Dental Extractions Hurt?

Patients are numb when they have an extraction. However, they can experience the pressure of using the forceps to loosen the tooth from the socket. Due to the anesthesia, though, you shouldn't feel any pain.

After the extraction, you may experience some gum and jaw soreness. Ice packs and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce the soreness, which should dissipate within a few days.

What Are Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars (the third) that come into your mouth. Typically, this is around age 17 to 25.

Sometimes, there simply isn’t enough room in a patient’s mouth for those teeth to come in. Or the teeth are so far back that it’s nearly impossible to keep them clean. This leaves the patient susceptible to gum disease and decay. Additionally, as the teeth come in, they can cause the other teeth to shift, throwing off the bite and causing damage to the other teeth and the jaw joints.

Thankfully, the wisdom teeth aren’t vital for proper oral function.

As our patients come in for their regular dental check-ups, we can evaluate the teeth and see if they’re causing any issues. If they are, we can extract all four of them. The procedure takes about 45 minutes to complete. The patient is numbed for the procedure, so they will experience some pressure but no pain.

Can I Be Sedated for an Extraction Appointment?

Absolutely! We totally understand that the thought of getting an extraction can lead to some dental anxiety, which is why we offer several sedation options, including:

Oral sedatives
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
IV sedation

The most used sedative for basic extractions is nitrous oxide.

Can Missing Teeth Be Restored?

Yes – in fact, we highly recommend that our patients invest in tooth restoration treatment. The reason for this is that it helps restore proper balance to the mouth.

When you have a tooth extracted, the adjacent teeth – along with the teeth directly above or below the extracted tooth – will start to shift to fill in the space. This can lead to:

Crowding and crooked teeth
Increased risk of gum disease and dental decay
Tooth misalignment
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
Jaw misalignment
TMJ disorder
Headaches

To prevent these symptoms, we recommend restoring the missing tooth. Doing so allows for bite alignment so that there’s not excessive bite force on a single tooth.

How can we restore the teeth?

Dentures (full and partial)
Dental implants
Fixed bridges

Dental Extractions Can Contribute to Your Dental Health

We would love it if our patients could keep all their teeth. Unfortunately, extractions are necessary at times.

But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Extractions can actually contribute to better overall dental health because they can help:

End infections
Arrest periodontal disease
Ease a patient’s pain
Increase the success of orthodontic procedures

Thankfully, once you’ve had a tooth extracted, we have plenty of restorative treatment options for all budgets. Talk to Dr. Omid about which options are best for your unique dental needs.

Are you experiencing loose teeth or dental pain? Contact our office right away. We’ll find out what’s causing the issue and create a custom treatment plan to help improve your dental health.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Flexible Appointment Times – Including Same Day!
Friendly Staff to Make Your Family Feel Safe and Comfortable
Priority Given for Dental Emergencies
Affordable Financing Options and Payment Plans Are Available

CALL (562) 414-5025
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