Do you have a tooth that seems to be causing nothing but trouble? No one wants to have a tooth extracted. This is always the last resort for your dentist. Ultimately, in some cases, teeth are beyond repair and need to be removed to preserve the health of the rest of your smile. Sometimes a tooth reaches a point where saving it causes more harm than removing it. Whether from severe decay, advanced gum disease, or trauma, a damaged tooth can affect your oral health far beyond discomfort. Infection can spread to neighboring teeth and bone, misalignment can develop as teeth shift, and chewing becomes increasingly difficult. When these complications arise, extraction often provides the path forward to a healthier, more functional smile.
Several situations may lead your dentist to recommend removing a tooth rather than attempting restoration. Severe decay that has destroyed most of the tooth structure often cannot effectively support a crown or filling. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 have untreated dental decay, highlighting the prevalence of this concern among American adults.
Advanced periodontal disease presents another common reason for extraction. When gum disease progresses, the bone supporting your teeth deteriorates, eventually causing teeth to loosen. At this stage, removing the affected tooth prevents bacteria from spreading and allows for proper treatment of the underlying infection.
We always do everything in our power to help patients keep their natural teeth. However, sometimes it isn’t a viable option.
Trauma from accidents or injuries can fracture teeth below the gumline where repair becomes impossible. Impacted wisdom teeth that grow at problematic angles often require removal to prevent crowding, pain, and damage to adjacent teeth. Orthodontic treatment sometimes necessitates extraction to create adequate space for proper alignment.
Our team evaluates each situation thoroughly before recommending extraction, using digital X-rays and Sirona CBCT imaging to assess the tooth and surrounding structures with precision.
Relief from troublesome teeth is within reach – comfortable extractions with flexible monthly payment plans available.
Understanding the extraction process helps many patients feel more at ease about their upcoming appointment. Your procedure begins with a comprehensive examination where we review your dental and medical history, discuss any concerns, and explain exactly what will happen.
When a tooth remains visible above the gumline and has adequate structure to grasp, we perform a simple extraction. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, we use specialized instruments to gently loosen the tooth from its socket before removing it. Our office features The Wand, an advanced system for delivering anesthesia that many patients find more comfortable than traditional injections.
Teeth that have broken at the gumline, remain partially impacted, or present complex root structures may require surgical extraction. This procedure involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. Our soft-tissue laser enables precise, minimally invasive procedures that promote faster healing and reduce post-operative discomfort.
Proper care during the first few days after extraction significantly affects your healing. We provide detailed written instructions customized to your specific procedure, though certain guidelines apply universally.
Before you leave our practice, we will provide you with a specific aftercare plan to prevent complications and remain comfortable. Everyone’s case is different, but here are some of the key steps we recommend for a speedy recovery:
Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two, though complete healing of the extraction site takes several weeks.
Leaving a gap where a tooth once sat can lead to shifting of remaining teeth, bone loss, and changes to your bite. Our practice offers several solutions for replacing extracted teeth, each tailored to your unique needs and goals. Dental implants provide the most permanent and natural-feeling option, integrating with your jawbone to function just like your original tooth. For patients seeking alternatives, dental bridges and custom dentures offer effective solutions that restore both function and appearance.
Dr. Nguyen, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture in addition to his dental degree, brings an artistic eye to every restoration, ensuring your replacement teeth blend seamlessly with your natural smile.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions can always be a bit nerve-wracking, even under the absolute best of circumstances. We work hard to help our patients remain comfortable for the duration of their treatment with us, which is part of why we have made paying for your dental care as easy as possible. We’ll be sure to give you a complete estimate for what your dental care will cost when we meet you in person, but until then, here’s what you should know about the factors that can affect what you pay for your dental care.
Facing a tooth extraction can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be a source of anxiety. At Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen, we believe every patient deserves to feel genuinely cared for throughout their treatment. Dr. Mullens, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists with over three decades of experience, and Dr. Nguyen form a skilled duo committed to providing detail-oriented, custom-tailored care for patients of all ages. Our state-of-the-art facility in Jacksonville features advanced technology to ensure precise diagnosis and treatment.
We understand that cost should never prevent you from receiving the dental care you need. In addition to accepting most dental insurance plans, we offer flexible financing through Cherry and CareCredit to make your treatment more affordable. With hundreds of five-star Google reviews, our reputation reflects our dedication to creating happier, healthier smiles throughout Jacksonville. Take the first step toward resolving your dental concerns by contacting us today.
If you have any food debris or an object stuck between your teeth, don’t try to remove it with a toothpick or any sharp objects, as this could damage your gums. Typically, gently flossing around the tooth and rinsing your mouth with saltwater can help dislodge it. However, if you’re not having any luck, you can also give our office a call. Our dental hygienists have all of the necessary tools to safely remove the debris.
Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Lockjaw, jaw tension, and pain are just a few of the many different types of jaw pain. If your discomfort is chronic, our team can help you determine the underlying cause of it and refer you to a specialist if necessary. However, if your pain is a result of an impact, visit your local emergency room.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Our team is happy to provide you with further guidance over the phone if you’re unsure of where to go for help. You can place an ice pack on the outside of your face to relieve any discomfort.
How We Treat Jaw Pain: If you believe your jaw is broken, dislocated, or damaged due to trauma, visit your local ER immediately. If it’s a reoccurring issue, our team can help you determine best next steps for finding relief after conducting an examination.
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? If your oral injury doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes, you may need to go to the emergency room. Or, if you’re conflicted about what to do, give our office a call and our team can help.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Oral wounds can bleed a lot, and when the blood mixes with the saliva, it can make the injury look a lot worse than it is. You can stop the bleeding by using a clean washcloth or piece of gauze and pressing it against the cut. A cold compress can help to reduce any swelling that may occur.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Our team typically doesn’t see patients for injuries. If you require stitches or the bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes of placing pressure on it, visit your local emergency room.
Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? If your tooth is wiggling in its socket or partially dislodged, try to get to our office as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. If you’re experiencing pain, our team can provide you with first aid guidance over the phone.
How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Avoid touching your tooth and eating any foods (especially those that are chewy or sticky), and rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater to remove any debris and cleanse the area. Avoid flossing or brushing your teeth until you’re able to see us.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: If your tooth has become partially dislodged due to impact, our team may be able to salvage it and see if the roots are able to re-fuse with the bone. In the case that your tooth can’t be saved, we may recommend an extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.
Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Whether your denture has broken to the point of it being unwearable or it just has a crack, you should never wear a damaged prosthetic. It can lead to irritation of the oral tissues in addition to jaw discomfort. If you have existing teeth and try to wear your damaged denture, it could also harm those teeth. Call our office immediately so our team can assess your prosthetic.
How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Although your local department store likely sells a denture repair kit, do not try to superglue or repair your own dentures. The best option in this scenario is to see a professional as soon as possible.
How We Treat Broken Dentures: Our team will examine your dentures and see if we’re able to repair them. If they’re damaged beyond repair, we can start the process of replacing them for you.
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, both of these situations warrant an immediate call to our Jacksonville dental office. That way, we can repair or replace your restoration as quickly as possible.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to reaching out to us to schedule an appointment, we recommend not eating anything crunchy, hard, or sticky. Additionally, keep your restoration somewhere safe, like a small, clean container.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns There are some cases where we can re-cement your restoration back in place, like if your dental crown is relatively new and in good condition. Other times, our only option is to replace your dental crown or filling with a new one.
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since this dental injury can cause a significant amount of pain and there is only a small window of time where we can save your tooth (about 60 minutes), the answer is “yes!” So, don’t hesitate – contact our Jacksonville dental team right away to schedule an emergency appointment.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Calling us is an important first step. This ensures that we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our dedicated emergency dentists right away. Plus, it allows us to guide you through the process of preserving the root of your tooth – whether that’s by placing it back in its socket or putting it in a clean container filled with milk.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be saved. If that’s not the case for some reason – like you weren’t able to find your tooth – then we will instead begin the process of replacing it with a dental bridge or implant so the look, health, and function of your smile are restored.
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth can be a dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to consider how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms and if they are present in tandem with others, like pain when biting down.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth There’s really only one thing you can do until your appointment: try to avoid things that could exacerbate your discomfort. In other words, don’t drink anything really hot, don’t eat anything really cold, and take OTC pain medication as directed on the label (if needed).
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth That depends on what’s causing your dental sensitivity. If it’s a cavity, then it’s likely that a tooth-colored filling or dental crown is the answer. If it’s an infection in your gums, then gum disease treatment is needed instead.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Cracked teeth are considered dental emergencies and you’ll need to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Leaving your tooth untreated can allow it to be vulnerable to further damage and bacteria. Before the situation worsens, schedule an appointment with our team so we can determine the best way to address your tooth.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Refrain from chewing on that side of your mouth, otherwise you could end up disturbing your injured tooth. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort. You can also rinse with saltwater to keep your tooth bacteria-free. If you notice any sharp or jagged edges on your tooth, you can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your soft oral tissue.
How we treat cracked teeth: We’ll examine your cracked tooth to determine the cause of the situation as well as the proper treatment for it. If the crack is minor, then we can typically address it with composite resin to improve and strengthen your tooth. For more severe damage, you may require a dental crown to repair the structure and prevent future discomfort. If the tooth cannot be saved, then we’ll likely have to extract it and replace it with something else, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipping your tooth isn’t always considered an urgent dental situation, so it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get it treated right away. That said, leaving it exposed to bacteria for too long can lead to problems later on. Before the situation can become worse, it’s best to visit your dentist for help.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: Until you’re able to see us for treatment, be sure to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, and don’t hesitate to use dental wax to cover up any rough or sharp edges you might notice. This can help you prevent harming your cheeks or other soft oral tissue.
How we treat chipped teeth: Chipped teeth can typically be treated by using composite resin to repair and improve them. However, if the damage is more visible and toward the front of your smile, then veneers might be the longer-lasting solution you’re looking for.
Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can be due to various reasons, some of which might not be particularly urgent. Even so, this can sometimes be an indication of a more serious dental emergency, such as an oral infection. That’s why it’s best to visit your dentist sooner rather than later so that they can address the underlying problem before it grows.
How you should handle a toothache: Rinse your mouth with saltwater to sanitize the area, dislodge any stuck objects between your teeth, and help alleviate any discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to further minimize the aching.
How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to thoroughly evaluate your smile to determine the root cause of your toothache. If it’s due to periodontal issues, then we’ll provide gum disease treatment. Other procedures to get rid of your toothache might involve root canals or tooth extractions, if necessary. We’ll be sure to walk you through your options before moving forward with any treatment.
