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Tooth Extraction & Removal Downtown Portland, ORTooth Extraction provided by Dr. James Krippaehne and Dr. Ellen Krippaehne in Portland, OR at West End Dental While our dentists want to do everything we can to save your natural tooth, and many of our procedures are all focused on repairing natural teeth, unfortunately, we cannot always save your tooth. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will need to extract the tooth to save the rest of your mouth. Our dental team at West End Dental knows exactly when to repair your teeth and when tooth extraction is necessary. Our Portland dentists will determine the best course of action based on the condition of your tooth, including whether alternative treatments like root canals or crowns are possible. Our team can often fix most problems with a tooth repair. We can clean out the decay, replace the decayed pulp with fillings, and strengthen damaged teeth with implants. However, extraction is something that we do under extreme circumstances. Extraction is considered a last resort when disease or trauma has made saving the tooth impossible. Why Teeth Are ExtractedOne of the reasons that teeth are extracted is due to excessive tooth decay. Typically, one tooth is badly decayed due to a cavity, poor oral healthcare, or other damage. The rest of your mouth is okay, and we do not want to risk removing all of your healthy teeth. If the decay has a risk of spreading across your mouth, we will extract the tooth to prevent further decay. In some cases, one or more teeth may need to be removed to protect the health of your other teeth. Additionally, if one of your teeth gets infected, we will perform an extraction as well to prevent the infection from spreading. Tooth removal is performed to prevent further damage, and after a tooth is removed, it is important to consider options to replace the missing tooth to maintain the alignment of your other teeth. ![]() How Does Extraction Work?Dental extractions are not painful, and you do not need to be worried about them. Some patients may feel nervous or uncomfortable before the procedure, but our experienced team is dedicated to helping patients feel at ease throughout the process. Typically, you will come in for the procedure and receive local anesthesia—specifically, a local anesthetic is injected into the gum to completely numb the area, ensuring you feel no pain during the treatment. Once the area is numb, our dentists will use an elevator to loosen your damaged tooth, and then dental forceps to carefully remove the tooth from the socket in the jaw and bone. There are two main types of extractions: a simple extraction, which is performed when the tooth is fully visible and easily accessible, and a surgical extraction (surgical tooth extraction), which is a type of oral surgery. Surgical extraction may require a small incision in the gum line, management of the gums, and sometimes removal of bone to access a tooth that is impacted or below the gum. The treatment plan is personalized for each patient to ensure the best outcome. After removal, gauze is placed on the extraction site to prevent bleeding, and ice is used to minimize swelling. You will need to bite down on the gauze to help a blood clot form in the socket, which is essential for the healing process. Proper care of the gums and extraction site is important to ensure the area heals well. It is crucial to follow all aftercare instructions and instructions provided by your dentists to promote healing, avoid complications such as dry sockets, and support a comfortable recovery. Avoid smoking after surgery, as it can increase the risk of dry sockets and delay healing. Most patients experience only mild discomfort or pain for just a few days after the procedure, and pain medication or a prescription may be provided if needed. The dental team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you heal quickly and comfortably. Caring for the extraction site and following all instructions will help the area heal properly. If needed, you also have the option to fill the space left by the removed tooth with a dental implant or bridge to maintain oral health and jaw stability. Do Not Be Worried About ExtractionWhile extraction is not something you need to worry about, since our team is invested in saving your tooth rather than removing it, it can still be a possibility. If we do need to extract your tooth to save the rest of your mouth, then do not be afraid; we will ensure you are comfortable with dental sedation. The entire procedure is painless, and we work to get you a new tooth as quickly as possible. If you need to have a tooth extracted, then our team can help you. Our dentists at West End Dental are all licensed and trained to make sure that your extraction goes smoothly and successfully. Then you can get back to having a new smile. Call our team at (503) 446-2957 to schedule your appointment! |
WE TREAT OUR PATIENTS WITH RESPECT We believe in educating patients about their treatment options and listening to their questions and concerns.WE BELIEVE IN HEALTHY TEETH FIRST We focus on prevention so that you keep your smile healthy. We provide excellent comfortable care for all procedures. |