Do you have impacted wisdom teeth? Are your teeth overcrowded? Dr. Denise Halliburton provides tooth extraction treatment to patients in her Ellicott City, MD dental office. Dr. Halliburton will recommend tooth extraction as a treatment of last resort or necessity for your long-term dental health and wellness.
Many patients think that tooth extractions are painful, but we ensure that all of our patients are comfortable during the procedure. Tooth extractions actually remove pain caused by severe infections or impactions. Dental extractions prevent further pain and oral health problems as a part of our general dentistry services.
Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
While we always strive to preserve natural teeth whenever possible, certain conditions make extraction the best or only option. Removing a problematic tooth can relieve pain, prevent infection, and protect the health of surrounding teeth and gums.
Severe Tooth Decay or Damage
One of the most common reasons for tooth extraction is extensive decay or damage. When a cavity goes untreated, bacteria can reach the pulp—the inner part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. This often results in severe infection or abscess formation. If root canal therapy cannot save the tooth, extraction may be necessary to stop the infection from spreading to other teeth or the jawbone.
Similarly, a tooth that has fractured or broken below the gumline due to trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects may be too damaged to repair with a crown or filling. In these cases, removing the tooth helps eliminate pain and prevent further complications.
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is another major cause of tooth loss. When left untreated, it damages the bone and tissues that support the teeth. As the disease progresses, the teeth can become loose and unstable. In severe cases, extraction is the only way to remove the affected teeth and restore gum health.
After extraction, your dentist can recommend restorative options such as dental implants or bridges to replace missing teeth and maintain proper bite alignment. Addressing gum disease early can often prevent the need for extractions, which is why regular dental cleanings and exams are essential.
Overcrowding and Orthodontic Needs
Sometimes, tooth extraction is necessary to make room for proper alignment. Overcrowded teeth can make it difficult for orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners to reposition teeth effectively. Removing one or more teeth may be required to ensure that the remaining teeth have enough space to move into their correct positions. This type of extraction is common among teenagers and adults undergoing orthodontic care.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, often cause problems because there isn’t enough space in the jaw for them to emerge properly. When these teeth become impacted—trapped beneath the gums or growing at an angle—they can cause pain, swelling, infection, or damage to neighboring teeth. Removing impacted wisdom teeth helps prevent future complications and preserves the health of surrounding structures.
Infection or Risk of Infection
Even when a tooth isn’t severely decayed or damaged, extraction may still be recommended if there’s a high risk of infection. This is especially true for patients with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplants, or other medical treatments that make the body more vulnerable to bacteria. Extracting the tooth helps prevent infections that could complicate recovery or overall health.
Tooth Extraction Treatment
Tooth extractions can be simple or complex. Simple tooth extractions remove teeth seen above the gum line. These types of extractions often only require an anesthetic. Complex tooth extractions remove teeth that are at or below the gum line. To extract teeth that are not fully immersed, we make an incision in the gums to remove the teeth.
For extraction treatment, we first administer local anesthesia to numb the mouth. Once we remove the tooth or teeth, we cover the socket with gauze. If needed, we may place a few stitches into the socket. If we remove an infected tooth or teeth, we can provide dental implants or restorations.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow behind the molars in the back of the mouth. They typically grow when patients are in their late teens to early 20s. Many patients do not find any problems when their wisdom teeth emerge. However, wisdom teeth can become impacted if they do not have enough room to erupt fully. Impacted wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth once they emerge. We will take X-rays at routine appointments to track wisdom tooth growth.
Request a Dental Consultation
Contact Dr. Halliburton for comfortable treatment at 443-232-0656. You may also schedule a dental appointment on our website. Dr. Halliburton sees patients from Ellicott City, Elkridge, Columbia, and other Howard County, Maryland areas.
Please let Dr. Halliburton know if you require accommodations or have further questions about dental extraction treatment. She will be glad to help you.