Our Services Tooth Extractions

Each individual tooth is important to the structure of the jaw and health of the surrounding teeth. For this reason, Dr. Hendrix will typically recommend attempting to save the natural tooth using procedures such as fillings, inlays and onlays, build-ups and crowns or root canals. However, there are several possible reasons he might recommend extracting a tooth instead of saving it.

• There can be so much decay in the tooth that it can not be restored and may endanger the surrounding teeth and jaw. 
• There can be significant gum disease making it difficult or impossible to save a tooth.
• A baby tooth can cause problems if it does not fall out as it should. Most often, this is because it was not shaped correctly or it has too long of a root.  It will be important to remove the baby tooth to make room for the permanent tooth to emerge.
• Misaligned or impacted teeth (such as the Wisdom Teeth) can cause pain or discomfort and affect the alignment of the rest of the jaw.  

Dr. Hendrix performs most extractions in his office. In some cases the location of the tooth, the shape of the roots, or the patient's medical condition may indicate the need for a referral to an oral surgeon.  With most extractions, a local anesthetic will be sufficient to make the procedure comfortable. While this procedure is generally very fast, please share any concerns or preferences for sedation with Dr. Hendrix.

When a tooth has been removed, nearby teeth may shift. This tooth movement may have negative affects on the gums, make teeth sensitive, make teeth more susceptible to decay, and cause problems with chewing or with your jaw joint. To avoid these complications, Dr. Hendrix usually recommends that you replace the extracted tooth or teeth with a bridge, dental implant, or removable partial denture.

Dental implants are the most natural replacement for missing teeth because they mimic the natural tooth root as opposed to simply bridging the gap, as is done with bridges. Because dental implants replace the tooth root, they help maintain the bone mass that is typically lost following an extraction.