Extractions

At Smiles on the Boulevard, we strive to maintain your and your family’s natural smile for life. Unfortunately, because of injury or severe infection, we sometimes have no other option than to remove a tooth. When these cases arise, we are committed to providing a painless, stress-free treatment experience.

What Are the Reasons for an Extraction?

There are several reasons we may take a tooth out. Often, we will remove a tooth because it is too badly damaged, and there is no treatment available to restore it. At other times, we may perform an extraction to preserve the surrounding teeth and gums. Regardless of the reason, we always take extractions very seriously and only perform this procedure when there are no other options at our disposal.

Some reasons we may need to remove a tooth include:

• Excessive damage or decay
• Overcrowding
• Severe infection
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• To make room for a new tooth trying to grow in

What Are the Different Types of Extractions?

There are two main types of tooth extractions – simple and surgical. We perform simple extractions on teeth that are above the gum line. These teeth can typically be pulled with a pair of dental forceps. By gently rocking the tooth back and forth, we can loosen the roots and ligaments and carefully remove it. Dr. Hawkins and her team specialize in this type of extraction.

Surgical extractions may be necessary if a tooth becomes trapped underneath another tooth, if there is not enough tooth structure above the gums to grasp with a pair of forceps, or if a tooth has not fully emerged. Wisdom teeth removals are some of the most common surgical extractions.

Do You Perform Surgical Tooth Extractions?

At Smiles on the Boulevard, our team specializes in simple extractions. If you require a surgical extraction, we will recommend you to a professional oral surgeon. We only work with the best surgeons in the area, so you can rest assured you will be in good hands during your procedure.

What Are Your Sedation Options?

We offer two types of dental sedation – local and nitrous oxide. We use local anesthetic before every procedure. This anesthetic will numb the area surrounding your tooth so you will not feel any pain or discomfort during your treatment. This option will also allow you to stay fully awake, so you can communicate with Dr. Hawkins whenever you need to.

If you are nervous about the thought of a dental extraction and would like an extra layer of comfort, we also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas). With this, you will still be conscious during your treatment but will feel numb, relaxed, and perhaps a little bit happy. We can discuss these dental sedation treatments before your extraction to find the option best for you. Your comfort is our top priority!

If you think you may need a tooth removed, or would like to learn more about the extraction procedure, please call us today at 740-423-8416. A friendly member of our team would be happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation.