Oral surgery aims to improve your current and future oral health. Sometimes, the best treatment to improve oral health is to extract a tooth. Decay, injury, or other dental conditions can lead to damage so severe that the tooth cannot be saved. In other cases, a healthy tooth may need to be extracted due to lack of room in the mouth or to prepare for additional orthodontic or oral surgery treatment.
A tooth extraction is a routine procedure that is commonly performed at our office in Santa Fe, NM. In general, local anesthesia is all that is used, so the patient remains conscious but completely comfortable during the procedure. Your oral surgeon will discuss your personal treatment plan during your consultation.
Why do teeth need to be removed?
In general, we do everything that we can to save a natural tooth, but sometimes it is in the best interest of your oral health to opt for an extraction. A tooth that is unhealthy can lead to persistent pain and infection that is at high risk of spreading, while an otherwise healthy tooth that simply doesn’t fit in the mouth can lead to oral health complications.
There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, including
- Dental crowding
- Advanced decay or infection
- Severe periodontal disease
- Injury
- Broken teeth
- Root canal failure
If you require a prosthesis after an extraction, your oral surgeon will review your options for tooth replacement, such as a dental implant.
Tooth Extraction in Santa Fe, NM
If you have been recommended for a tooth extraction, or if you think you need one, we encourage you to give our office a call. Dr. Schow is experienced in tooth extraction and will work with you to design your ideal treatment plan to ensure the improvement and preservation of your oral health. We look forward to meeting you.