ORAL SURGERY
"EXTRACTIONS"

Primary (Baby) Tooth Extractions:

    Primary (baby) teeth are usually lost on their own, however in some situations these teeth need to be extracted.  One of the most common reasons extractions are necessary is for orthodontics.   Sometimes the permanant (adult) teeth do not come in straight and therefore they are unable to push the primary teeth out as seen on the picture to the left.  Most of the time a primary tooth extraction is very easy and painless since the roots of these teeth resorb and loosen them a little bit.  Usually there is little to no post operative care for these types of extractions, and the patient can go about their normal lifestyle (school, playing and sports). 

Permanent Tooth Extractions:  
     Permanent (adult) teeth are extracted for a variety of reasons.   If a tooth has extensive decay it may be nonrestorable.   A tooth can also fracture due to decay or weakness in tooth structure.  If a tooth has had a lot of fillings, it may also fracture due to excessive wear over many years.  One common reason for permanent tooth extraction is lack of space in the mouth.  Orthodontists sometimes recommend extractions  of permanent teeth to allow for space to straighten teeth.  
      Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in- and the ones least needed for good oral health.  They may not erupt, or emerge from your gums, until late teens or early twenties-- if they erupt at all.  Most often, they're impacted, or trapped in the jawbone and gums, usually because there's not enough room for them in your mouth (see picture to the left).  Impacted teeth may cause sudden pain or infection, and also push on the roots of the adjacent teeth.

At Chesterfield Valley Dental Group, we perform most of our extractions in office.  However, for the impacted teeth or in certain  difficult cases, we refer our extractions out to a certified Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgeon.