Tooth Extractions in Cincinnati & Mason, OH

Adult teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but situations like dental trauma, disease, or tooth decay may damage a tooth beyond the point of saving. In such cases, tooth extractions may be necessary to prevent damage to other teeth and relieve tooth pain. Dr. Robert Lucas, Dr. Garrett Seghi, and Dr. Eric Murnan regularly perform tooth extractions in our Cincinnati and Mason offices to improve our patients’ oral health.

If you have a broken, painful, or infected tooth, contact Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of Cincinnati to be seen by one of our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons. In some cases, we can perform a simple tooth extraction on the same day as the consultation, especially if you are experiencing severe tooth pain.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

A tooth may require extraction for a number of reasons, such as:

• Overcrowding. When there are too many teeth in the dental arch, they may erupt improperly or become misaligned. Extra teeth may also cause bite problems and require orthodontic treatment to correct.
• Tooth Decay. In some cases, a tooth that has become infected can be treated with root canal treatment, fillings, crowns, and fluoride treatments. If the tooth has decayed beyond repair, extraction may be the only treatment option left. Extracting a decayed tooth can prevent the infection from spreading to nearby teeth and gums.
• Facial Trauma. Just like any other bone in the body, a tooth can fracture and break. A broken tooth may be repaired with a filling and dental crown, but if only the roots remain or the damage is too severe, the tooth may require extraction.
• Wisdom Teeth Removal. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are extra teeth that many people develop during their late teens or early twenties. These molars are often extracted because there is not enough room for them, and they can cause many health problems if left untreated.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

Prior to your procedure, you will meet with one of our surgeons for a consultation. Dr. Lucas, Dr. Seghi, or Dr. Murnan will conduct a thorough oral examination with the help of 3D images of your mouth, jaw, and face. We will discuss your anesthesia options and in simple tooth extraction cases, we can typically perform the extraction on that same day.

Most tooth extractions are straightforward procedures requiring only a local anesthetic to numb the area. More complex extractions, such as extracting wisdom teeth or impacted teeth, may require IV sedation. Procedures requiring more advanced anesthesia will be scheduled for a later date, and we will provide you with pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your procedure.

After you are comfortable, your surgeon will extract the tooth using forceps. You may feel some pressure as the tooth is removed, but the anesthesia will have numbed the area, so you should not feel any pain. If any incisions were made in the gums, your surgeon will close them with sutures.

Recovery After a Tooth Extraction

After your procedure, we will provide you with instructions to help guide you through the recovery process. Keeping the extraction site and surrounding area as clean as possible is essential. Warm salt water rinses are an effective way to maintain oral hygiene and keep the extraction site clean. Follow your instructions closely regarding pain medication and how to manage pain, bleeding, and swelling. If you experience excessive bleeding or pain, contact our office.

Tooth Replacement Options After Extraction

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a long-term tooth restoration solution designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Your oral surgeon will surgically insert the dental implant into the jaw bone. Over time, the post will fuse with the jaw bone and create a secure and healthy foundation for the crown (the visible part of the implant). The implant post stimulates the jaw when chewing, similar to a natural tooth root, keeping the jaw healthy and preventing bone loss that can occur when a tooth is missing. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that protects the jaw bone and restores full oral function.

Immediate Dental Implants

If you need a tooth extracted and have a healthy amount of jaw bone, you may qualify for immediate or same-day dental implants. Immediately after extracting a tooth, your surgeon can insert a dental implant and attach a temporary crown. After the implant fuses with the jaw bone, your dentist will place your final crown. Immediate implants are ideal if you are having a tooth extracted in a noticeable part of your smile. They eliminate the need to undergo a separate surgical procedure for implant placement, which saves you time and money. Your surgeon will determine if same-day dental implants are right for you during the consultation.

Socket Preservation

If you plan on restoring the tooth one day with a dental implant, you can preserve the size and shape of the tooth socket with socket preservation. This treatment involves filling the empty tooth socket with a bone grafting material to prevent bone loss and maintain the socket’s integrity. Even if you do not plan on receiving a dental implant in the future, preserving the health of the tooth socket can reduce bone loss and prevent adjacent teeth from drifting out of place.

No Replacement

You may choose to forgo tooth replacement. However, when a tooth is missing and not replaced with a dental implant, jaw bone atrophy can occur. Additionally, adjacent teeth may shift into the open space, resulting in misalignment or bite issues, and you may experience difficulty chewing on the side of your mouth where the tooth is missing. If you had a tooth extracted many years ago and are interested in exploring your options today, we invite you to contact our practice. Our oral surgeons will work with you to help you achieve a healthy, functioning smile.

Tooth Extraction in Cincinnati & Mason, OH

If you have a troublesome tooth that needs to be extracted, our experts at Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of Cincinnati will explore your treatment options to help you find relief from tooth pain, improve your oral health, and restore your smile by replacing the tooth. Contact us in Cincinnati or Mason, OH, if you need a tooth extracted, and we will see you as soon as possible.