General Extractions

If your dentist has advised you to see an oral surgeon to have a tooth removed, Dr. Bobst can help! He is a trained specialist in the removal of individual and multiple teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained to remove teeth easily and quickly to minimize recovery time and offer patients the best possible results.

Why does my tooth need to be extracted?

When teeth become damaged, whether it is due to disease or break down due to trauma, sometimes the teeth can be restored with non-surgical treatments like a filling, crown, or root canal. But when the damage is too extensive, your dentist may decide to refer you to an oral surgeon. At that point in your treatment, the best course of action is to have the tooth removed. If this is the case, Dr. Bobst will develop a treatment plan for extraction. Most tooth extractions are performed in one surgical visit.

Some common reasons that a tooth may need to be extracted are

• Crowding. Sometimes, healthy teeth will need to be removed because of overcrowding. Overcrowding can occur if a young patient still has their baby teeth (deciduous teeth), and it has been too long; the dentist may then recommend they be removed to aid in the establishment of permanent teeth. Or occasionally, the mouth is too small for all the teeth to fit within the jaw in a healthy, functional manner, or some people develop too many teeth that cannot be accommodated. In these instances, your dentist or orthodontist may recommend that a tooth be removed.

• Loose teeth caused by oral disease. Many patients who experience gum disease (periodontal disease) may have teeth that have become loose, shifted, or are very infected.

• Oral infection or disease that causes decay. If the tooth is decaying and is left untreated, the tooth requires root canal therapy, a crown, or extraction. But if it is too damaged, it may be recommended for removal.

• Facial Trauma. Unfortunately, teeth may be fractured or broken due to a traumatic accident. If there isn’t viable structure remaining for a filling or crown, it may be recommended that the rest of the tooth be removed.

• Wisdom Teeth. Because wisdom teeth extraction is recommended for such a high percentage of the population, your dentist will likely recommend extraction at some point. Even if you are not experiencing pain, discomfort, or other symptoms, it is a smart idea to act on the surgery as soon as possible if it is recommended by your dentist.

During your consultation, Dr. J. Scott Bobst will discuss your options for replacing the missing tooth or teeth. In many cases, it is possible to place a dental implant at the same time the tooth is extracted. We urge you to make an appointment at Boise Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center to learn about your options and receive treatment.