12606 A Lake Ridge Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 491-2131

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction occurs when a tooth is removed from its socket within the bone. Ideally, you keep your natural teeth for the rest of your adult life, but sometimes a tooth needs to be removed. If you live in Woodbridge, your dentist can help determine if you need a tooth extraction. Dr. Charles Sours and his staff provide a variety of dental services that can help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health. Keep reading to find out when a tooth extraction is necessary.

If you have a tooth that is cracked, broken, or damaged, your dentist will try to save your tooth by repairing it with a filling, crown, or another method of treatment. If the dentist determines that these methods will not help, he or she may choose to extract the tooth.

Reasons that Your Tooth May Need to be Pulled

There are many reasons why your Woodbridge dentist may decide to pull your tooth. Sometimes you may require braces, but your teeth are crowded inside your mouth. When the dentist prepares your mouth for braces, he or she may extract a few teeth so that your teeth have enough room to align. Sometimes your teeth may too big for your mouth, not leaving enough room for new teeth. In some cases, your baby teeth don't fall out when it's time for your permanent teeth to emerge. You may also have advanced tooth decay or infection that has destroyed part of your tooth. Some patients may have wisdom teeth that are causing issues. When any of these situations occur, your dentist may decide that a tooth extraction is necessary.

Kinds of Tooth Extraction

There are two primary methods of extracting teeth, simple and surgical. During a simple tooth extraction, your dentist numbs the tooth and gum. Using an instrument called an elevator, the dentist loosens the tooth. He or she then removes it with dental forceps. If your dentist performs a surgical extraction, he or she makes a small incision in your gum and removes the tooth. Your dentist may opt to perform a surgical extraction when your tooth breaks at the gum line or fails to emerge from the gum.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you need a Woodbridge dentist to help you achieve and mental good oral health, schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Sours. Dr. Sours and his experienced staff are here to help you with any dental needs. To schedule your appointment, please call us at 703-491-2131.