Extractions

Extractions services offered in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA

Whenever possible, saving a tooth is preferred over the need to perform an extraction. However, when extractions are necessary, William Ginzburg, DDS, and the team at Sunset Smile Dental in Sunset Plaza, located in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, are here to help. Booking a visit is a simple and straightforward process online or by phone.

Extractions Q & A

When are tooth extractions necessary?

Having a tooth pulled is never a decision made lightly. In most cases, every effort is made to save a damaged tooth, and there are numerous restorations to choose from. In some cases, however, extraction is the best course of action.

Some of the reasons you might need to have a tooth pulled include:

To relieve crowding
To prepare for orthodontic treatment
To remove a decayed tooth that can’t be repaired
To prepare for certain treatments like chemotherapy
As a result of advanced gum disease

If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, extraction might be the best way to avoid or address serious dental health issues.

What happens during tooth extractions?

When you come in for an extraction, a local anesthetic eliminates all sensation in the treatment area. Once you’re numb, your dentist uses a dental tool called an elevator to move the tooth in a back-and-forth motion, loosening the connection between tooth and bone.

A device called forceps allows your dentist to grasp the tooth and remove it once it has detached from the bone. In some cases, it may be necessary to break the tooth into smaller pieces before removing it, but you won’t feel a thing.

If an incision needs to be made in your gum tissue, the procedure is considered a surgical extraction. This is often the case when removing wisdom teeth and is also sometimes necessary to remove a tooth that has broken off at the gum line.

What is the recovery process like after having a tooth pulled?

Your dentist provides a full set of instructions for how to care for your gum tissue after having a tooth extracted. Perhaps the most important step is to take care to avoid dislodging the small blood clot that forms after an extraction.

Smoking, drinking through a straw, or anything that creates suction within the mouth can cause this blood clot to detach, which increases your risk of complications during the healing process. You can brush your teeth and gently rinse your mouth while your gum tissue heals, but avoid placing any pressure on the extraction site until the tissue adapts.

If you’re interested in learning more about extractions, call the office to schedule a visit. Online booking is also available and is fast and easy to set up.