Tooth Extraction
Comfortable Removal of Damaged or Infected Teeth
Many people will need a tooth extraction at some point in their lives. When decay, gum disease, or facial injuries damage teeth, they can sometimes be repaired and saved. In other cases, the only way to prevent further problems is to remove the tooth completely. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts at safely and effectively extracting teeth. In addition to safely removing them, our surgeons can replace the missing teeth with dental implants.
We regularly perform tooth extractions at our offices in New Brunswick, East Brunswick, and MIddlesex, New Jersey. If you have a tooth that is badly damaged, infected, or you suspect may need to be removed, we invite you to contact Oral Surgery Group to schedule an appointment with Dr. Philip Engel, Dr. Richard Stern, Dr. Constantine Simos, Dr. Michael Stern, Dr. Amy Tanchyk, and Dr. Rohan Prabhu.
Why Should I Have a Tooth Extracted?
When treating dental problems, every effort is made to save the natural tooth. Sometimes it is impossible to save a tooth without risking additional damage to surrounding teeth and structures. Teeth that are severely infected may need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading or causing other problems. In some cases, extraction is the most effective way to eliminate the damage or infection and protect the other teeth and gums. The most common reasons for needing a tooth pulled out include:
- Severe tooth decay. When restorative procedures, such as fillings and root canals, cannot save a tooth, an extraction is usually necessary to preserve your oral health. The infected tissue can reach deep into the roots of the tooth around nerves and blood vessels, making it easy for infection to spread to other tissues.
- Gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can cause severe tooth decay, tooth loosening, and other problems. Gum disease can cause the bone beneath the gums to become weaker, which leads to tooth loosening. Eventually, the affected tooth or teeth may need to be extracted.
- Dental crowding. Sometimes the teeth become crowded together because extra teeth develop in the mouth. Baby teeth that do not fall out in time can also cause problems. In these cases, extractions may clear the way for the adult teeth to grow into their natural positions.
- Tooth injuries. Most of the time, a cracked or chipped tooth is simple to repair. In some cases, when a tooth is severely damaged, there is no way to repair the tooth without potentially causing future complications. In these cases, most dental professionals will recommend an extraction and possibly a dental implant replacement.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?
You will meet your oral surgeon during the consultation. We may take 3D scans of your mouth and face, and will discuss your options for anesthesia and sedation prior to treatment. Simple tooth extractions are completed fairly quickly, often only requiring local anesthesia. In some cases, we can combine the consultation appointment with the extraction procedure in a single visit.
Your surgeon will administer the chosen anesthetic and remove the tooth using forceps. We will place gauze in your mouth to control bleeding and send you home with detailed instructions for post-operative care. Follow these instructions closely so that your extraction site heals properly and you avoid dry socket, which is a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot inside the tooth socket becomes dislodged.
Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants
If you have enough jaw bone, you may be able to receive a dental implant immediately after extraction. These types of implants are called same-day dental implants. By inserting them right after pulling a tooth, you save money, time, and lessen your number of surgical visits. This also allows you to leave our office without a missing tooth.
If you do not plan on replacing the missing tooth with a dental implant right away, your surgeon may place a bone graft into the empty tooth socket. The grafting material preserves the size and shape of the socket, making for easier dental implant placement in the future.
When a tooth is missing, the jaw bone beneath it deteriorates over time due to lack of stimulation. We recommend replacing any missing teeth with dental implants, as their posts mimic natural teeth roots and prevent jaw bone loss. Ask us about dental implants during the consultation to learn more about your tooth replacement options.
Your surgeon will also explain any post-operative care instructions before your procedure. Sometimes, infected or damaged teeth can be painful, and many patients feel relieved after finally having their extraction performed. At Oral Surgery Group, we provide the care you need to improve and maintain good oral health. Contact our offices in East Brunswick, New Brunswick, or Middlesex, NJ, today to schedule your appointment with our oral surgeons.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer several types of anesthesia to ensure patients remain comfortable in our care.
Hear From Tooth Extraction Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing tooth extraction at our office.
Reviews From Our Tooth Extraction Patients
"Essentially, I was losing my teeth. I'm a diabetic — I think that had something to do with it. I had come to Oral Surgery for most of the extractions. Dr. Engel was the most recent doctor/surgeon here that put in the implants. I have a fixed bridge over implants on the upper plate. The bottom plate, I have a device — an appliance — which snaps into four implants that comes out nightly, goes in in the morning. All the doctors here are very personable. It's not just executing a science of implants or the other services that are offered here at Oral Surgery; they care about the people, and that is a real plus. I would recommend Oral Surgery Group to anyone, young or old."
"I came to see Dr. Stern to have implants placed. I met the receptionist, and they put me at ease right away. Dr. Stern did the extraction; I didn't even realize he'd done it when he told me he'd done it. The dental implant went well. By the second day, I was feeling fine. I went back to work. It was all good. Really a comfortable experience. The staff was very nice. They were always smiling, making everybody feel comfortable. I would recommend Dr. Stern because I felt his bedside manner and his knowledge of what he was doing was excellent. The Oral Surgery Group is the place to go."
"I have something that's called dry mouth—not enough saliva being created—and I started losing my teeth, and so I went for extractions. The office itself is very welcoming. Professional staff, clerical staff, they're all very friendly. Everything is very well explained to you, so by the time the extractions begin to happen, you are fully aware of what to expect. And the follow-up by the staff again was just as they said it would be. It was timely and good questions to make sure that I was recovering. I highly recommend Dr. Stern and the Oral Surgery Group."
"Well, I came to Dr. Simos as a recommendation from my own dentist, who I guess had used him for his own parents and his children. So I thought that was a good recommendation, so I've been with Dr. Simos for two dental procedures. For the first procedure, removing two teeth I had worked on – upper left and upper right – putting in the bone grafting material, waiting for quite a while for that to heal, and putting the posts in. No pain, no bleeding, no swelling. Even though I was kind of uncertain in the very beginning, it wound up being a good deal for me. My implants feel much stronger than my natural teeth did. Dr. Simos is a very nice guy. Calm and peaceful guy — kind of fits my personality, as well. The nurses were very attentive and very efficient. The staff was great as far as administration, so I had a good relationship with the whole organization, and I would certainly tell my people to come here as well."
"I had a problem with a tooth that was just bothering me. The dentist I normally use took a look at it and said, "This tooth is shot." He suggested Dr. Simos — someone that he's worked with for a number of years. Dr. Simos' demeanor — he's just laid back, I guess is the best way. He listens to you very attentively, explains what's going on, and then he takes the time to answer any questions you have, explain exactly what's going to be done. The first thing that was done was removing the affected tooth — it was essentially a dead tooth, so it had to come out. They do a bone graft, I think, as a follow-up perhaps a month later, and then several months later, a dental implant is done. Recovery was pretty easy. The staff here in this office is excellent. Everyone is prompt, courteous. I would recommend this group. This is the place to be if you need this sort of work done."
Decades of Trusted Care
Start your journey to better oral health and a more confident smile at Oral Surgery Group. Our compassionate team of specialists will walk you through every step, answer your questions, and make you feel like a part of our family. Learn more about us or schedule an appointment.