Gentle Tooth Extractions
Expert Tooth Extractions in San Antonio
Dr. Young is an expert at saving teeth and will do so when it is possible. However, there are certain circumstances where a tooth cannot be saved and extraction becomes necessary.
Tooth extractions are needed when the tooth is too deteriorated, or when it needs to be removed in preparation for dental implants, such as when replacing a whole arch of teeth with an implant-supported bridge or an implant-supported denture.
Preparing for a dental implant
After a tooth is extracted, Dr. Young will usually fill the empty socket with bone grafting material to regenerate the bone in the space left by the missing tooth. The new bone will preserve the height of the jaw ridge where the tooth is missing and will prepare the site for a dental implant. This procedure is known as a socket graft.
In some cases dental implants can be placed at the same time that the the socket graft is done. The regenerated bone will fuse with the implant post and the implant will be securely anchored. Dr. Young will let you know if this can be done in your case.
Minimally invasive and non-traumatic tooth removal
In traditional extractions, the tooth is first moved back and forth and rotated in the socket to dislodge it from the supporting ligament and bone, after which it is pulled. This method damages the surrounding gum and bone tissue, accelerates bone loss around the tooth, and causes the area to swell. Healing from this type of extraction can be lengthy.
Instead, Dr. Young gently prepares the tooth by dividing it into sections and then pulls up the sections vertically with little to no damage to the surrounding bone and gum tissue. This procedure preserves the remaining gum and bone tissue, causes minimal discomfort, and allows for faster healing.
