When the loss of a tooth is a gain for your health and smile: A guide to simple and surgical extractions

Advanced Dental of Aliso Viejo, California, generally prioritizes services and care to preserve patients’ teeth. However, there may be times when losing a tooth is actually a gain for your health.

Extractions … just what the dentist ordered

There are many reasons “why” the extraction or removal of a tooth may be necessary. Rest assured, our dentist, Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula, provides trustworthy treatment recommendations that are based on your needs and follow a thorough evaluation. We do not take the loss of essential teeth lightly. But, there may be circumstances when removing a tooth (or teeth) is the only way to relieve pain and other symptoms and restore your smile’s health, function, and appearance. These situations include:

• “Non-restorable” teeth: These teeth either have too much damaged structure or have lost too much surrounding support, making them unable to be “fixed” through root canal therapy. When a damaged tooth is removed, several options are often available to replace it. Dr. Tiruveedula will discuss all options to replace essential teeth promptly and to avoid the consequences of tooth loss, including the loss of bone in the jaw.
• Impacted teeth: Teeth that cannot erupt or break through the gums (due to the position of the tooth or the surrounding bone) may require removal. This is very common with the third molars or “wisdom teeth.” These teeth are the last to develop in the jaw and often become stuck in the back-most corners of the mouth because there is insufficient room for them to break through the gums or erupt normally.
• Orthodontic treatment: In some cases, your mouth may need a little more room for orthodontic treatment, such as braces. To accommodate orthodontic appliances, teeth may be removed. This situation often arises when the teeth are crowded due to insufficient space for them to erupt in an ideal pattern.

The process

There are two primary removal methods: simple extraction and surgical tooth extraction. A simple extraction involves the straightforward removal of a mostly intact tooth above the gum line. A surgical extraction is essentially performed when a tooth is badly broken down or impacted, and there is not much tooth structure left. So, special techniques must be employed to remove the tooth from its socket. These techniques may include removing a small amount of surrounding bone or tissue to allow for access to the offending tooth. Both methods use plenty of local anesthetic for utmost comfort. Dr. Tiruveedula and her team are experienced in ensuring patients are as comfortable as possible throughout and after the extraction. 

If you are concerned about a tooth or are simply overdue for your checkup, contact Advanced Dental today. Our Aliso Viejo, CA team can be reached at (949) 289-9993. With prompt care, we can preserve all of your essential teeth and avoid the pain that accompanies many chronic conditions, such as advanced tooth decay and impaction.

Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula

Connect on Linkedin

Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.

Dr. Joseph C. Yang

Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.