When dental issues, like tooth decay or injury, damage your teeth, our goal is to save as much of the tooth as possible. But in those cases when a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll perform a tooth extraction as a last resort. From there, we have several options available to replace a missing tooth, from bridges and partials to dental implants.

What is a Dental Extraction?

Basically, there are two different types of dental extractions: simple and surgical. Simple extractions can be done in a single visit. Our dentist will provide you with local anesthetic to numb the area, then they’ll simply pull the tooth.

If a tooth is too severely broken, or it’s a wisdom tooth that hasn’t erupted (or it’s not positioned well), a surgical extraction may be the only option. We’ll carefully extract the tooth whole or in pieces, then clean the area thoroughly.

Recovery times for extractions vary from patient to patient. But, on average, the site of a simple extraction will heal within a few days. Be sure to take any pain medications as prescribed and follow our dentist’s instructions about aftercare during recovery.

Reasons to Extract a Tooth

Want to Find a Dentist for Tooth Extractions in Metairie?

If you need to have a tooth extracted, we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to regain a beautiful and functional smile. Extractions can be intimidating, but they tend to be easy procedures with a quick healing time. Contact us today to learn more, or to make an appointment!