On occasion, teeth are severely damaged by gum disease or extensive decay. Those teeth may require removal.

Treatment of damaged teeth involves their removal using special surgical techniques appropriate for each individual case.

The tooth may be removed whole, or in some cases it may be made into sections, and each section is then individually removed. Usually the extraction procedure is uneventful and quickly performed. In most cases normal activities can be resumed within a few days depending on the degree of difficulty and the number of teeth removed.

Instructions are given as to how to care for the extraction site and the patient is also given an appointment to return to see the doctor for a final evaluation.

Wisdom Teeth
The method used to remove your wisdom teeth will depend on various factors, for example, the position of the teeth; the length of curvature of the tooth roots; the thickness of the bone surrounding the teeth; and so on. If the teeth have fully erupted, it is possible to simply remove each tooth in tact from its socket in the bone, using forceps or other instruments designed for this purpose. If gum tissue is covering the tooth, an incision will be required to turn back the gum and expose the tooth. Likewise, if bone covers the tooth, the surgeon will remove sufficient bone to expose the tooth and allow its removal.

If an incision through the gum tissue is needed to gain access to an impacted tooth, the surgeon may place some sutures (stitches) at the end of the procedure to hold the tissue together and aid healing. These stitches may dissolve on their own after surgery, or you may have to return to the office for their removal.