Hear From Tooth Extraction Patients Like You

When a tooth is damaged or infected, it can cause issues with not only your ability to eat and smile but also with your other teeth and overall oral health. Infection can spread quickly from one tooth to your gums and nearby teeth, causing more serious problems for your health, which is why it's important to have infected teeth treated immediately. When a tooth is too severely damaged, it will most likely require an extraction to prevent things from getting worse.

Tooth extractions are often the last resort when other procedures, such a dental procedures or apicoectomies, are not viable options for repairing the tooth. Extractions are also common in younger patients who experience crowding or need preparation for orthodontics. We understand that the thought of losing teeth may cause anxiety, but our oral surgeons are highly trained and can safely extract your tooth without causing excessive discomfort. We also offer several solutions for tooth replacement. We encourage you to watch the testimonial videos below to hear more about the extraction experience at our office.

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When your teeth are damaged, they can sometimes be repaired by your dentist with a dental filling, root canal, or crown. However, when a tooth is damaged beyond repair because of decay, injury, or other oral health complications, sometimes the only option is an extraction procedure. Our oral surgeon in Lubbock, TX, understand the sensitivity that goes hand in hand with extracting a tooth from your smile, and they work hard to ensure patients are always comfortable. Our team will also make sure to talk to you about your options for tooth replacement, such as dental implants. Dental implants can permanently restore your missing teeth with a natural-looking and fully functional replacement.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

There are a few conditions that create cause for tooth extraction:

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a condition that affects the tissues located beneath the bones of your teeth, eventually leading to tooth loosening. Once a tooth becomes too loose, it will need to be removed.
Dental crowding can be caused by teeth that are growing into a smaller-than-average jaw, or when extra teeth are growing into the mouth. If braces or other orthodontic work can’t make space for all the teeth, one or more teeth may need to be extracted.
Tooth decay that is not caught early on can lead to infections that can spread to other parts of the mouth. The affected teeth may need to be removed before other oral complications arise.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in the back of the mouth. They should be extracted as soon as possible because the average mouth does not have enough room for an extra set of molars. If left untreated, wisdom teeth can push against adjacent molars, causing misalignment and bite problems. Most simple tooth extractions only require local anesthesia to numb the surgical area, whereas many patients undergo IV sedation for wisdom tooth removal. Visit our Wisdom Teeth Removal page to learn more about third molars and the process of having them extracted.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

When performing a tooth extraction procedure, Dr. Robert B. Ioppolo will use local anesthesia to prevent any pain or discomfort, unless the patient is undergoing multiple extractions or a more complicated extraction. For a longer or more complicated procedure, he may administer IV sedation to put the patient in a sleep-like state during the surgery. During your consultation, he can discuss your anesthesia options before deciding on a treatment plan.

After your consultation, you will return for your surgical procedure. First, your surgeon will administer your chosen anesthesia. Then, the tooth or teeth in question will be removed. For simple extractions, the tooth will be loosened and removed. If the tooth is especially large or difficult to remove, your surgeon may remove the tooth in small sections. For teeth that are trapped beneath the gums or broken around the gum line, a surgical extraction will be necessary. For a surgical extraction, some of the gum and bone tissue around the tooth may need to be moved or removed. Once the tooth is removed, your surgeon will ensure that all signs of infection are gone before suturing the surgical site.

Options After Tooth Extraction

When having a tooth extracted, there are several options you have when it comes to restoring it. Our team at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock is here to answer your questions and provide you with all of your treatment options upfront.

Dental Implant. A dental implant will look and feel just like your natural tooth. The implant post is embedded into the jaw bone, creating a sturdy foundation that allows you to bite, chew, and speak comfortably. A natural tooth root stimulates the jaw bone to keep it strong. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that provides the same stimulation, preventing jaw bone deterioration due to tooth loss. With dental implants, there are no removable parts. Your new tooth remains in your mouth at all times and you care for it with regular brushing and flossing, just like a natural tooth. When cared for properly, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
Dental Bridge. A dental bridge can be fixed or removable, and can be used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth that are missing next to each other. Dental bridges rely on adjacent teeth for support, which can cause them damage. They will restore the appearance of your smile and some functionality, but not have the full durability of a natural tooth or dental implant. You must be sure to properly clean around your bridge, as the framework can trap bacteria. You should replace your dental bridge when it wears down, which can be anywhere from 10-20 years, although some bridges can last longer than 30 years.
Socket Preservation. This bone grafting treatment helps prevent bone loss after tooth extraction and involves your oral surgeon placing bone grafting material into the empty tooth socket. The grafting material preserves the socket’s size and shape and makes future dental implant placement possible. Socket preservation is also known as ridge preservation, and the grafting material can be inserted immediately following tooth extraction.
No Replacement. You do not have to replace a missing tooth. Doing so can restore confidence in your smile if the tooth is missing in a visible place. By not replacing a tooth, you risk jaw bone loss in that area due to lack of stimulation. Adjacent teeth can shift into the open space, throwing off the alignment of your other teeth. Missing a tooth may make it difficult to bite or chew on one side of your mouth. If you decide to restore the tooth in the future, you can receive a dental implant at any time as long as there is sufficient jaw bone to support it.