Tooth Extractions

When tooth infection or damage becomes so severe that the tooth cannot be restored, extraction can protect the health of nearby teeth and gums. At Lubbock Dental Specialists, Dr. Graves and Dr. Wilkinson perform quick and comfortable tooth extractions in the comfort of our Lubbock and Amarillo, TX, offices. If you have a broken or infected tooth, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We can sometimes perform extractions on the same day as the consultation and will discuss your options for tooth replacement, such as long-lasting dental implants. 

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Although adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime, they can decay or break, even with proper dental care. There are several reasons why a tooth may require extraction, including: 

• Tooth decay
• Impaction
• Overcrowding
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Dental trauma
• Baby teeth do not fall out in time 

Having a damaged, decayed, or infected tooth extraction will prevent the issue from spreading to other teeth and gums. When you see your dentist for regular checkups, he or she will identify any oral health concerns and determine if tooth extraction is necessary. The sooner the affected tooth is treated, the faster we can restore your smile’s health and appearance. 

Tooth Extraction Procedure

At Lubbock Dental Specialists, we make every effort to save your natural teeth. Dr. Scherer is an expert endodontist who can perform root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and other procedures in an attempt to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. If a tooth cannot be saved, extraction may be necessary. Dr. Graves and Dr. Wilkinson are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons who will safely extract the tooth and create a plan to restore it.

We will take 3D scans of your mouth to examine your oral health. If you wish to restore the tooth, we can discuss your options during the consultation, such as dentures, bridges, or healthy and long-lasting dental implants. When you are having a tooth extracted, your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic. We offer many options for anesthesia and will help you choose the right type for your level of anxiety or the complexity of the extraction. 

There are two types of tooth extraction procedures: 

• Simple Tooth Extraction. A simple tooth extraction involves removing a tooth without making any incisions. Teeth that have erupted through the gums often require a simple extraction. 
• Surgical Tooth Extraction. A surgical tooth extraction involves making an incision to access and remove the tooth. This type of extraction is necessary to remove impacted teeth or those that have decayed or broken, leaving only a portion of the tooth visible above the gum line. 

Tooth Replacement Options After Extraction

Having a tooth removed can feel stressful, but our team at Lubbock Dental Specialists is here to provide you with all of your options so that you can restore health to your smile and feel confident about your teeth. There are several options to consider when replacing a tooth, and we will outline these options with you during your consultation. 

• Dental Implants. A dental implant is the most natural-looking option for restoring a tooth. The implant post fuses to the jaw bone and acts just like a natural tooth root, allowing you to eat your favorite foods without uncomfortable or removable appliances. This fusion also provides the jaw bone with stimulation to prevent the bone from deteriorating, which can occur when teeth are missing. Dental implants look and feel natural, and with proper care, they can last a lifetime. 
• 4-Hour Smile. If you are having multiple teeth extracted, or if you are currently missing most of your teeth, 4-Hour Smile can provide you with a fixed, new arch of teeth in just 4 hours. This full-arch restoration treatment uses dental implants to support a fixed denture, providing you with a healthy, fully functioning arch of teeth that looks natural and stays in place. 
• Socket Preservation. Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting technique that involves filling the empty tooth socket with a grafting material to reduce bone loss. This is a great option to consider if you plan on eventually receiving a dental implant, as the grafting material will preserve the size and shape of the tooth socket to make future implant placement easier. 
• Dentures or Bridges. Removable dentures or bridges can restore the appearance of missing teeth, but they do not restore functionality or protect against bone loss. Many patients who wear full or partial dentures find them uncomfortable and dislike having to remove their teeth during meals and brushing. Although they are often cheaper upfront, dentures and bridges must be replaced every few years and may lead to costly bone repair surgery down the road as the jaw bone weakens.

Tooth Extraction at Lubbock Dental Specialists

Our team at Lubbock Dental Specialists makes the tooth extraction process quick, comfortable, and easy. We are happy to discuss your tooth replacement options with you and look forward to improving your oral health. If you have one or more teeth that require extraction, contact our office in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, to schedule a consultation with our oral health experts.