Tooth Extractions + Wisdom Teeth Removal

At The Grove City Center for Dentistry, we are highly experienced in tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal, and we believe your permanent teeth should last a lifetime.

That’s why we work hard to preserve your natural teeth and keep them healthy for as long as possible.  We also understand there are situations when we may need to extract a tooth if repairing or restoring it is not an option.

When do you need a tooth extraction?

There are several different reasons why you may need to have a tooth pulled. Tooth decay is the most common reason. When a tooth is too badly damaged for our team to repair or restore, Dr. Bryan Simone or Dr. Kyle Lowe may need to remove it. We find that removing the tooth prevents long-term damage to your tissue and bones and helps relieve any pain you might be experiencing.

Other reasons you may need to have a tooth extracted include:

• Cracked or broken tooth due to trauma

Sometimes you may have a traumatic injury to your tooth that cannot be repaired. We may need to extract it to prevent additional oral health problems.

• Overly crowded teeth 

We will typically remove one or more teeth to make more room, typically as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. 

• Baby teeth have not fallen out on their own

When baby teeth do not fall out naturally, it is difficult for adult teeth to come in.  There are cases where we need to extract those teeth to make way for adult teeth.

• Infection

In many cases we will recommend a root canal and antibiotics, however, if that is not effective, we may need to extract the tooth.

• Periodontal disease

Sometimes periodontal disease causes teeth to come loose, and we need to extract it.

How is a tooth extracted or removed at The Grove City Center for Dentistry?

Dr. Simone, Dr. Lowe and our team work hard to make a tooth extraction a simple procedure.  We’ll examine your tooth and assess your oral health. If we determine that you need to have a tooth pulled, we promise to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the entire procedure. After reviewing your x-rays, Dr. Simone or Dr. Lowe will identify the best method for the extraction. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, we may refer you to an oral surgeon to complete the procedure.

Then, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area that surrounds the tooth to keep you comfortable during the process. After further loosening the tooth, we will then remove it.  Dr. Simone or Dr. Lowe also may place a few stitches to close the gums and“pack” the area with gauze. Additionally, they may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection.

How do you take care of an extracted tooth?

Taking care of an extracted tooth is fairly easy, and the recovery period is just a few days. During the recovery, we recommend the following to improve your comfort and prevent infection:

• Eat soft foods for the first 24-to-48 hours
• Keep any gauze in place for the first few hours or until the bleeding stops
• Place an ice pack on your jaw to reduce swelling and pain
• Take any pain medication as directed
• Gently rinse your mouth with a small amount of warm salt water or a special rinse that we may prescribe
• Do not drink from a straw because the pressure can cause the blood clot to be removed, which could cause dry socket
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol

It is normal to expect bleeding, some pain and mild swelling during the first 24 hours after your extraction. If you experience severe pain or extensive bleeding at any time, contact us immediately.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Wisdom teeth typically come in during your teenage years. For many patients, your mouth is only large enough to accommodate a certain number of teeth. Because wisdom teeth are located in the back of your mouth, their arrival can sometimes cause overcrowding, pain, infection and other issues. Teeth that don’t break through the gum line or are “stuck” and are typically referred to as impacted wisdom teeth.

If we determine that you need your wisdom teeth removed at The Grove City Center for Dentistry, Dr. Simone or Dr. Lowe may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the procedure, depending on your x-ray results, positioning of your wisdom teeth and other factors. We promise to consult with you about the best treatment options for you. You can rest assured that we will recommend an expert surgeon that we trust to care for you the same way we do for your wisdom teeth removal procedure.