Tooth Extractions in Butler, PA

Tooth extractions are more common than you may think. In fact, approximately 74% of adults have had a tooth extracted at some point throughout their life.

At Brockley Dental Center, we perform tooth extractions from the comfort of our private office, ensuring that you don’t have to go to another professional or get a referral. Learn more about tooth extractions and how they can help resolve your dental issues.

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is a procedure in which a tooth is completely removed from its socket. Although the experts at Brockley Dental always strive to save teeth whenever possible, there are circumstances where a dental crown or dental filling is insufficient.

Some of the reasons you may need to have a tooth extracted include the following:

• Severe tooth decay
• Impacted teeth
• Broken teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Dental injuries
• Severe gum disease

For some people who need braces, tooth extractions may be necessary to allow the teeth to adjust properly.

Wisdom teeth can require extraction if they fail to erupt fully or at all. If you have a partially erupted wisdom tooth, bacteria from food can remain trapped in the opening of the gums, potentially leading to tooth decay. 

After the extraction, we can install mini dental implants on the same day. Mini dental implants are similar to traditional dental implants, only smaller and capable of fitting into even the tightest parts of your mouth. 

Mini dental implants can restore full use of your bite and also prevent bone loss in the jaw, as they stimulate the jawbone the way a natural tooth would. 

Benefits of Tooth Extractions

One of the biggest benefits of tooth extractions is that they can help alleviate pain.

If you have severe tooth decay, the pain can be very difficult to deal with—even antibiotics may not do the trick. If the infection has progressed beyond the pulp, tooth extraction may be the best option to stop the pain. 

By removing the tooth completely, we can help you avoid troublesome complications. This is most common with wisdom teeth, which can shift other teeth out of place when they erupt and cause discomfort if they don’t fully emerge. To prevent these issues, we often recommend having wisdom teeth removed.

If you need braces or other oral devices and have crowded teeth, it may be necessary to extract one or more healthy teeth in order to ensure the desired results. Of course, this is always a last resort, but it may be unavoidable in certain instances. 

Preparing for Tooth Extractions

If you have an infected or damaged tooth or think you may need a tooth extraction, the first thing you should do is schedule a consultation with Brockley Dental. We perform all extractions at our office, meaning you won’t need to get a referral or make multiple appointments. 

During the consultation, we’ll assess your mouth, taking your full oral health into consideration to ensure that extraction is the right option. We’ll get your full medical history and ask about any medications you currently take. We’ll also take an X-ray of your mouth to survey the extent of the problem.

We ask that you let us know if you have any of the following conditions:

• Hypertension
• Adrenal disease
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Impaired immune system
• History of bacterial endocarditis

If you’re seeking treatment for another medical condition that involves the use of intravenous bisphosphonate, please inform us so we can schedule the tooth extraction ahead of this treatment. If we think the extraction might be lengthy or you have other medical conditions, we may prescribe antibiotics for you to take in the days before the procedure.

Before the procedure, we’ll also discuss the types of anesthesia we use and whether you’ll require sedation for dental anxiety reasons. We can also discuss the payment options we offer, including CareCredit financing.

To properly prepare for the procedure, it’s best to stop smoking and consuming alcohol for a few days. We’ll let you know if you need to stop taking any particular medications, but it’s always wise to check with your doctor as well.

If your elected treatment requires general anesthesia or oral sedatives, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Overview of the Tooth Extraction Procedure

We’ll inject localized anesthesia to numb the tooth and the gums around it. Then, using special dental instruments, we’ll gently remove the tooth from the socket. If the tooth is badly broken and doesn’t allow us to get a good grip, it may be necessary to cut into the gum line to access it. 

Once we remove the tooth, we’ll clean and disinfect the socket. In some cases, we may also place a bone graft into the socket to prevent jawbone loss. Finally, we’ll suture up any incisions that have been made.

If you’re receiving a mini dental implant, we can perform that procedure at the same time. That way, you won’t have to make another appointment. 

Recovering From Tooth Extractions

The recovery process can take a few days, but it’s not overly complicated.

It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to rest for the first 24 hours following your procedure. Apply an ice pack to the extraction site for 10 minutes at a time several times per day, and keep the gauze we apply to the area in place to aid clotting.

Take a break from strenuous activity and avoid using straws when drinking, as they can put pressure on your mouth, which in turn can cause pain or bleeding. If needed, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to aid your recovery. You should also consider propping your head up when you sleep.

You’re free to brush and floss normally, but avoid doing so over the affected area. Instead, swish with a saltwater solution made by dissolving a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water. The salt solution will kill germs, remove debris, and help prevent infection. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, as these can irritate or dry out the socket.

We may schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that you’re recovering properly. As always, we’re here to address any questions or concerns you may have following your procedure.

Our Philosophy

Brockley Dental Center is a family practice. The father and daughter team of Donald B. Brockley, DMD, and E. Ahono Gildersleeve, DDS, along with Carmin Gonzalez, DDS, can provide the specialty dental services you need to look and feel your best.

One of our main focuses is ensuring that all our patients feel heard and supported throughout the process of seeking treatment. We take our time, so you’ll never feel rushed or treated like just another customer.

Although we don’t participate in conventional insurance, we can file a reimbursement claim on your behalf to help you get coverage for your procedure. We also partner with CareCredit to offer convenient, affordable financing.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and more than 50 years of combined experience in dental medicine give clients in the Greater Pittsburgh and Butler, PA, areas plenty to smile about.

Trust Brockley Dental Center in Greater Pittsburgh, PA

If you have tooth decay, severe damage, or impacted teeth, turn to Brockley Dental Center. A tooth extraction may give you the relief you seek.

Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.