Tooth Extractions in Midtown Manhattan, NYC

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There are several reasons why it might be necessary to have one or more teeth extracted. Teeth can become badly damaged due to injury or disease and may not be salvageable, or they might need extracting due to lack of room in your jaw. This is often the case with wisdom teeth that try to erupt into a mouth that is simply too small to accommodate them.

Tooth Extraction Due to Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common reason for tooth extraction, as it can severely damage or loosen a tooth so it cannot be saved. In this case you will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth is located, but we can supply a stronger sedation if you need more than one teeth removed or if you are nervous or anxious. The actual procedure to remove the tooth is generally very quick, and after it has been extracted you might have a few stitches. You’ll need to gently bite down on a clean piece of gauze immediately after the extraction to help stop the bleeding.

Once the extraction site has healed you can think about replacing the tooth, perhaps with an implant, bridge or denture. If the extraction site is in a highly visible area we can provide you with a temporary tooth until you can have it more permanently replaced.

Preserving Bone in the Empty Socket

After your tooth has been extracted it will leave behind an empty socket that used to support the tooth. When the tooth was in position it supplied plenty of stimulation to the bony socket, as the forces created during biting and chewing were transmitted through the tooth, out into the tooth roots and into the surrounding bone, keeping it strong and healthy. Without the presence of the tooth, the bony socket can soon become thinner and shallower as the bone is reabsorbed, and this can create problems for future tooth replacement.

One particular bone preserving technique is to place a bone graft at the same time as the tooth is extracted. This helps prevent bone loss and will provide a better prognosis for future tooth replacement. If you intend to have a dental implant, the bone graft will help to support the implant post. If you opt for a dental bridge, then the bone graft will help reduce the gap underneath the pontic or replacement tooth. Using this technique can also help save time in the future, as bone grafts often need to be left to heal for up to six months before an implant can be placed.