Extractions

General Dentistry in Frederick, MD

At Monocacy Valley Dental, our mission is to help patients in Frederick, MD and the surrounding areas maintain a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Our Frederick dentist, Dr. Motz, works closely with each patient to develop a personalized, custom-designed treatment plan, and we strive to make the treatment process as convenient as possible for our patients. At our practice, we focus on preventing problems before they begin, and we do everything possible to preserve our patients' natural teeth. But in some cases, the best option for a beautiful smile is tooth extraction.

Why Would I Need a Tooth Extracted?

We try to avoid tooth extraction wherever possible, but for some patients, it can be necessary. Extraction is most common when there are problems with tooth eruption: in cases where a misshapen baby tooth isn't falling out or is interfering with the eruption of a permanent tooth we may simply extract it. We also often extract teeth that grow in at an angle (impacted teeth), which is common for wisdom teeth. And, while root canals allow us to save most decayed teeth, there are cases where dental decay is severe enough that the tooth isn't worth saving.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

Thankfully, tooth extraction is a routine, minor procedure with virtually no discomfort. First, we'll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area and keep you comfortable. Next, your Frederick dentist will carefully expand the tooth socket, creating room to gently separate the tooth from the periodontal ligament, which holds it in place. Once separated, your dentist will remove the tooth, clean the area, and prep it for healing.

What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extractions leave a gap in the smile, which can allow neighboring teeth to drift into the gap and disrupt orthodontic alignment. To avoid this, we may use a separator to hold open space if a permanent tooth will erupt there, or we may replace the tooth with a restoration like a bridge or a dental implant. It all depends on your specific situation and what you decide with your Frederick dentist.

Contact the Best General Dentist in Frederick

Tooth extractions are never our first choice for treatment, but in certain cases, they can be hugely helpful in crafting a healthy smile. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions about tooth extractions or if you think you may benefit from this simple procedure. We look forward to hearing from you, and we're excited to help you achieve and maintain the smile of your dreams!