Tooth Extraction

No one wants to have a tooth pulled. Unfortunately, due to injuries, disease, or infection, tooth extraction is necessary (or possibly needing to make room for tooth movement, such as with braces). Dr. Keyes and his staff strive to make his patients as comfortable as possible in the event of a necessary tooth extraction.

A tooth extraction is a procedure in which the entire tooth is removed from the jawbone, root and all. Fortunately, an extraction isn't really as scary as it sounds. The fear of the unknown is the worst part of having a tooth pulled. Knowing ahead of time that the extraction will not be as painful as you would think it sounds goes a long way to making it a better experience.

Anesthetic is injected around the site of the tooth to be removed. After the initial injection, no pain should be felt at all. The injection itself is only a pinching sensation, as Dr. Keyes uses a numbing gel on the gums beforehand. Many patients have stated that the sounds of the tooth being pulled are the worst part of the entire process. If any pain is felt at all, let Dr. Keyes know immediately so that he can add some more anesthetic. Your comfort is of the utmost importance.

After the area is totally numb, the tooth is gently rocked back and forth in the socket. The goal is to remove the tooth in one piece, but sometimes, it will break and need to be removed in sections.

Dr. Keyes' ultimate goal is to promote a healthy mouth for a lifetime and preserve as many natural teeth as possible through old age. Call his office today at 360-675-4366 to make an appointment.