Tooth Extractions in Colorado Springs, CO

About Tooth Extractions

Saving and preserving natural teeth to support a healthy smile is the overall goal we work towards in the field of dentistry. However, some oral conditions may require tooth extraction to preserve the rest of the mouths health. When teeth have large cavities, are impacted (trapped in the jaw), or cannot be restored, the ideal way to reestablish a healthy oral environment may be to remove the tooth from the mouth. Patients who are about to begin orthodontic treatment or who have stubborn baby teeth blocking an adult tooth’s eruption may also require a tooth extraction. At Colorado Springs Oral Surgery, our elite team of oral surgeons routinely provides simple and surgical tooth extractions for patients in nearly every stage of life. Simple extractions are used to remove teeth that are visible in the mouth and elevated easily from the tooth socket. Teeth that are impacted usually require incisions in the gums through a surgical approach in order for our oral surgeon to receive access. These teeth may need to be sectioned and removed in smaller pieces depending on their level of impaction, as well.

When is Removing a Tooth Necessary?

Our surgical team is pleased to offer advanced expertise and experience to improve the health of your family’s smiles. Leaving problematic teeth in the mouth can threaten many aspects of your oral health. Therefore, we recommend removing these troubled teeth to reduce the risk of any complications for your oral health down the road. At Colorado Springs Oral Surgery, our team routinely extracts teeth suffering from a number of oral conditions. Some of the most common conditions necessitating tooth extractions are:

• Abscessed (Infected) Teeth
• Severe Bone Loss
• Advanced Periodontitis (Gum Disease)
• Expensive Wear
• Fractured Tooth Root
• Broken At or Near the Gumline
• Impacted Teeth
• Problematic Wisdom Teeth
• Inadequate Space for Eruption
• Preparation for Orthodontic Care
• Retained Deciduous (Baby) Teeth

It is often advised that adults who need a functional tooth extracted have the tooth replaced at some point following its removal - such as with a dental implant. Our oral surgeons can help you determine whether a dental implant may be a good option to replace a tooth following your extraction procedure.

How is a Tooth Extraction Performed?

Simple and surgical tooth extractions are performed in one of our comfortable, modern treatment rooms by one of our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Always placing patient comfort and safety above all else, we will help you determine the sedation and dental anesthesia option ideal for your extraction procedure when you visit our practice for your initial treatment consultation. When the day of your extraction procedure arrives, our team will make certain you are comfortable before beginning your simple or surgical extraction. Our team will use advanced, expert-level skills to gently remove your tooth from the jaw while causing as little impact to the surrounding teeth, gums, bone, and nerves as possible.

To perform a simple extraction, we may use a special instrument to elevate the tooth from its socket. Surgical extractions may require our oral surgeon to make incisions in the gum. This way he is able to have better reach and access to the tooth that is impacted within the bone. In some cases, the tooth may be separated into smaller pieces for easier removal and less invasion to the extraction site. Once the tooth is removed and the area is rinsed clean, sutures may be placed depending on the level of invasion at the extraction site. The site will most likely be packed with gauze to lower blood flow to that area. Our surgeons may also prescribe antibiotics, pain medication, or suggest over-the-counter analgesics, to keep you comfortable as your mouth recovers.

After a Tooth Extraction

After your tooth has been removed and sutures have been placed, we will provide Post Operative Care Instructions for you to follow in the days to come. If you received sedation dentistry services for your extraction, it is important that you have a trusted, responsible adult drive you home after you are cleared to leave our facility. As your mouth begins the healing process, a clot will start to form over the tooth socket where your extraction occurred. Preservation of this clot is crucial to your healing. If it becomes dislodged, it may lead to an oral complication knows as "dry socket." You can help prevent this from occurring by not spitting, not using a straw, and avoiding smoking in the initial days after your extraction. You are also encouraged to consume a diet of soft foods and avoid anything that is hot or cold in temperature (lukewarm is best). Swelling in the jaw can often be minimized with cold compresses applied to your face outside of the extraction area. For most extraction cases, we will schedule a follow-up appointment with our surgical team about a week later to evaluate the healing and recovery of your extraction site.

Does Insurance Cover Tooth Extraction Procedures?

A number of dental insurance plans offer coverage toward a simple or surgical tooth extraction procedure. To gain a comprehensive understanding of your plan’s benefits and learn if sedation dentistry services are included in your policy, our Insurance Specialist Team will contact your insurance provider. At Colorado Springs Oral Surgery, we are happy to help you find convenient solutions to cover any out-of-pocket costs for your care. Our practice accepts several methods of payment and can pass along information regarding flexible financing plans with CareCredit® and CredCompare. CredCompare involves a simple application process that performs a soft credit pull with no affect to your credit score. Once submitted for prequalification, CredCompare allows several different financing companies to review your patient profile and to compete for assistance in your healthcare investment.

Trusted Care for Problematic Teeth

Teeth that interfere with a healthy, comfortable smile are often best treated with a simple or surgical tooth extraction. When teeth become severely decayed, infected, or broken, our experienced Colorado Springs Oral Surgery team is ready to help. Our oral surgery specialists treat patients of all ages and offer sedation dentistry services to make oral surgery care as relaxing and comfortable as possible. If a hopeless or problematic tooth is affecting your family member’s health, we invite you to schedule a treatment consultation at our Colorado Springs Oral Surgery office.