Extractions

Skilled dentists can often save teeth that are worn, damaged, or decayed, but when that’s not possible, you might require a tooth extraction. If you need to have a tooth out, Alex Pastel, DDS, and Megan Morrow, DDS, of Pastel Dental can help. At their practice in the Laurel Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California, they perform expert extractions with minimal fuss.

FAQs

Everything you need to know about dental care

What are extractions?

Extractions are dental procedures used to remove a tooth when it cannot be restored or is no longer the best option for long-term oral health. While modern dentistry allows many teeth to be preserved through restorative treatments, there are situations where an extraction may be recommended.

At Pastel Dental, extractions are performed with local anesthesia to ensure comfort throughout the procedure. For most cases, the tooth is gently loosened and removed using specialized dental instruments.

If a more complex extraction is needed, your dentist will take a careful, personalized approach to safely remove the tooth and support proper healing afterward.

Why would I need an extraction?

Common reasons for requiring extractions include:

Severe decay

Tooth decay is the foremost cause of extractions, with around two-thirds of procedures resulting from untreatable decay. If the outer part of your tooth is in acceptable condition, your dentist can perform a root canal procedure to preserve the tooth. However, if decay has severely damaged the outer layers of your tooth, extraction is inevitable.

Gum disease

Periodontal or gum disease doesn’t just damage your gums – it can weaken the underlying bone so severely that your teeth become loose.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the wearing of braces and devices like Invisalign® to straighten your teeth. To work properly, there needs to be room for the teeth to realign, which sometimes means removing one or more teeth.

Cracked teeth

In most cases, the Pastel Dental team can save cracked teeth with root canals. However, where repair is impossible, they perform extractions.

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth at the back of your mouth sometimes become impacted or fail to erupt properly and may need a surgical extraction.

What happens after a tooth extraction?

Gaps that remain after tooth extractions shouldn’t be left, as the jaw bone can deteriorate and other teeth shift position. Therefore, you need to follow up on your extraction by replacing the missing tooth. Dental implants are one of the most effective solutions, as they provide a secure new root around which the bone grows. With a customized crown, a dental implant is indistinguishable from your natural teeth and preserves the health of your jawbone. Other options include bridges and dentures. Your dentist at Pastel Dental can discuss which option is most suitable for you.