Dental Extractions in St. Louis

Ballas Dental Care provides dental extractions in St. Louis, MO. Call 314-432-5544 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Although our goal as dentists is for you to keep your natural teeth, there are situations when a tooth must be extracted in order to restore or maintain your oral health. The most common reasons for tooth extractions include:

• Wisdom teeth that cause crowding or damage to adjacent teeth
• Creating room for orthodontic treatment
• A tooth is too damaged to repair with a crown
• Periodontal disease
• Infection

We recommend replacing your extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge to restore function, appearance, and biting strength, unless you need wisdom teeth removed or extractions for orthodontics.

There are two different types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. You will be sent to an oral surgeon if you require surgical extraction. Typically, these extractions are required for impacted teeth. If, on the other hand, your tooth has fully erupted, all that is required is a simple extraction. This is a non-surgical procedure that can be done in our office.

The first step in the process is to numb your tooth and the surrounding area to ensure your comfort. The tooth is then loosened from the jawbone using a specialized dental tool called an elevator. Your dentist will use forceps to carefully remove the tooth once it is loose. Sutures may be used to close the gum tissue at the extraction site, but not always.

During your appointment, we will give you complete aftercare instructions. You'll feel some soreness at the extraction site when the local anesthetic wears off. Swelling can be treated with cold compresses, and discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications. After a simple tooth extraction, most patients are able to return to work or school the next day.

Is tooth extraction painful?

No, your tooth and surrounding tissue will be numbed before we begin your extraction, so you will not feel any pain, though you may feel movement and pressure. You will experience soreness and swelling at the extraction site after the local anesthetic wears off, but this can be managed with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers.

How soon after a tooth extraction can I eat?

We recommend that you wait until the local anesthetic has worn off before eating, which helps prevent injury. Eat only soft foods for 24 hours before reintroducing foods that need to be chewed; start slowly and work your way up to hard foods like nuts and crunchy foods like chips.

Do you need an implant after an extraction?

A dental implant is the best solution for replacing a missing tooth, but dental bridges are also a viable option. We always recommend replacing your extracted tooth in order to restore proper function and bite after an extraction.

What happens if you don’t replace an extracted tooth?

When one of your teeth is extracted, the rest of your teeth will begin to shift and may even become loose. The jawbone that supported the extracted tooth will begin to deteriorate, which can lead to a number of serious dental issues and even a prematurely aged appearance.

Call 314-432-5544 to schedule your appointment.