Gentle Tooth Extraction & Tooth Replacement

If a tooth is lost, you need a tooth replacement.

Unfortunately, there are some situations where a tooth cannot be saved. The loss of a tooth may be due to trauma, advanced decay, infection or an abscess.  It could be that the teeth are crowded and a tooth may need to be sacrificed to make teeth straight and functional. Sometimes, baby teeth just never fall out!

Dr. Stummer uses a unique instrument called a physics forceps, designed to make tooth extraction less traumatic for his patients because it allows the tooth to be lifted out of the socket with slow gentle force. Without this instrument, the tooth must be rocked back and forth in order to break the gum and fiber attachments that hold the tooth in place. The physics forceps allow leverage to do the work!

Before a tooth is pulled, an assessment of a patient’s medical history must be done to determine if there is any need for antibiotics to be taken prior to the procedure. A review of medications is also necessary. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area. After the tooth is extracted, pressure is applied to the area to allow a clot to form. The patient should relax for the remainder of the day. Some discomfort is normal and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. If pain persists or a fever or swelling develops, contact our office immediately.

After a tooth is extracted, it is important to discuss with Dr. Stummer tooth replacement options in a timely manner. If  time is allowed to pass, the neighboring teeth will start drifting to fill the gap. Replacing lost teeth can be achieved with one of the following: implants, bridges and partials. See these sections to learn more.