Truth be told, all of us would probably rather keep all of our teeth. Proper dental hygiene, regular care, and preventive maintenance can go a long way toward preserving your teeth, but what if a tooth simply can’t be saved? There are actually a number of reasons why patients seek surgical teeth removal in Pasadena, but first, let’s get a better understanding of the general reasons teeth might need extraction.
Reasons You May Need An Extraction
Some tooth extractions are done as a preventive measure while others are done to correct existing problems. While there are many reasons why patients need teeth removal in Pasadena, some of the most common are:
- Decayed or fractured tooth: When a tooth is severely decayed or fractured beyond repair, extraction is often the best option to prevent further damage or infection.
- Impacted tooth: An impacted tooth is one that fails to erupt fully through the gums. This can cause pain, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth are the most common type of impacted tooth.
- Crowded mouth: If your teeth are too crowded, Dr. Chan may recommend extracting one or more teeth to create space for proper alignment. This can improve your bite and make it easier to clean your teeth.
- Infection: If a tooth infection has spread to the pulp or surrounding tissues, extraction may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading further.
- Gum disease: Advanced gum disease can cause the bone and tissues that support your teeth to deteriorate. This can make your teeth loose and may require extraction.
- Preparation for dentures or braces: If you are getting dentures or braces, Dr. Chan may recommend extracting some teeth to create space or improve the overall results of your treatment.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other reasons why Dr. Chan may recommend an extraction. It’s important to discuss your individual situation to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Meet Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Christopher Chan
At Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, exceptional patient care is our top priority. Dr. Christopher Chan, Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, exemplifies this commitment. He is a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a member of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, while maintaining active hospital privileges at Huntington Hospital.
His advanced specialty training and affiliations promote the highest standards of patient comfort, safety, and care. Following your procedure, you will receive Dr. Chan’s personal phone number for any questions or concerns. Our friendly and well-trained team will guide you through each step, making your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
When is a Surgical Extraction Necessary?
Most simple tooth extractions can be performed by a general dentist, but there are cases where patients needing tooth removal in Pasadena, might be referred to an oral surgeon for surgical extraction:
When teeth are damaged, infected, impacted, or very decayed, oral surgeons are often sought for their specialized training in dealing with these situations. Probably the most common example of this is with wisdom teeth removal.
Patients considering dental implants are often referred to an oral surgeon because they are able to employ special techniques designed to preserve existing bone structure – essential for proper dental implant placement.
Some patients are more comfortable being put under general anesthesia or IV sedation while undergoing extractions. Many general dentists may not offer these options for anesthesia, thus they refer the patient to an oral surgeon like Dr. Chan to perform the extraction.
What To Expect Before and After the Procedure
At Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our surgeons are skilled in surgical teeth removal, particularly where dental implants will be involved. Though we also provide immediate extraction in very time-sensitive cases, typically, tooth extractions involve the following:
- An initial consultation, in which we learn your symptoms and any relevant medical factors and then thoroughly examine your teeth to understand what problems have occurred.
- At the time of extraction, you will be given anesthesia so that you feel no pain during your procedure. Depending on your specific case and preference, local or general anesthesia or IV sedation may be used.
- Again, depending on the nature of the extraction, different techniques will be employed to remove the problem tooth while making every effort to preserve the existing tissues and surrounding teeth.
- Once the extraction is complete, the tooth socket will be stitched (if needed) and dressed to allow blood to properly clot and to prevent infection. You’ll also be given instructions on pain management and care specific to your case.
If you need a tooth extracted, call Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery in Pasadena today at (626) 792-3161. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you.
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Real Patient Reviews
Hear From Our Satisfied Patients
“Dr. Chan and his staff are wonderful!! My dentist keeps raving about how good of a job Dr. Chan did when he did my implant and surgical tooth removal. His office staff is very organized and professional. I appreciate his office so much!”
Melanie S. –
“Fantastic dental office for oral surgery. I’ve been to many and this one is hands down the best. I had all of my wisdom teeth removed at the same time. The procedure was painless and healed very quickly. Dr. Chan is wonderful, informative and straight forward.”
Tony O. –
“Dr. Chan and team rock! I am a busy parent just like you. Got news that my 19 year old needed wisdom teeth extraction immediately. Leaving for college in less than a week, we were referred to Dr Chan and Foothill Center. They got us in quickly and recommended we do all four.
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C M. –
“Dr. Chan and staff are amazing. I had a broken tooth get infected and was causing severe pain. I was able to get a referral from my dentist to see Dr Chan for removal with sedation. Dr Chan was knowledgeable, took time to answer all my questions and had a great sense of humor (direly needed since I’d been in pain for about 4 days). ”
Petunia W. –
“Dr. Chan was a great asset to my care. He helped take out my wisdom teeth with a breeze. I was only swollen for a week and did not have any issues. I referred him to my whole family who needed wisdom teeth removal. ”
Sammy L. –
