245 Center St, Unit 2, Auburn, ME 04210
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is a dental procedure in which a provider removes a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Most people know it simply as having a tooth pulled. While our team always aims to preserve natural teeth whenever we can, sometimes a tooth is too damaged, decayed, or infected to save, and removing it is the healthiest path forward.
For many of our patients, extractions are the first step toward a beautiful new smile with dentures or dental implants. Removing failing teeth relieves pain, stops infection from spreading, and creates a healthy foundation for tooth replacement. At Auburn Dentures & Implants, Dr. Kessler performs comfortable, careful extractions and will walk you through your replacement options so you always know what comes next. We proudly serve patients throughout Auburn, Lewiston, and the greater Androscoggin County area.
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Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions
Our team always prioritizes saving your natural teeth when possible. But when restorative treatments like fillings or crowns are no longer enough to repair the damage, an extraction becomes necessary to protect your overall oral health. Common reasons include:
- Severe tooth decay. When a cavity progresses beyond repair and reaches the nerve or creates an abscess, extraction may be the only way to stop the infection from spreading.
- Advanced gum disease. Periodontal disease can destroy the tissue and bone that support your teeth. When teeth become loose or the supporting structures are compromised, removal helps protect the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Dental trauma or injury. Accidents can fracture or break a tooth beyond repair. When the structure, nerve, or root is badly damaged, extraction can relieve pain and prevent complications.
- Preparing for dentures or implants. When teeth are failing throughout the mouth, removing them clears the way for a full denture, snap-in dentures, or implant-supported teeth that restore your smile.
- Overcrowding or impaction. In some cases, crowded or impacted teeth that cause pain, infection, or damage to neighboring teeth need to be removed.
Because removing a tooth can create new challenges, such as difficulty chewing or shifting of nearby teeth, we review your alternatives first and discuss replacement options so your smile stays whole and functional.
The Extraction Process
A tooth extraction is a straightforward procedure performed right here in our office. Depending on your needs, it may involve removing one tooth or several. Here is what to expect:
Comfort and anesthesia.
We numb the area with local anesthesia so you do not feel pain during the procedure. For more involved extractions, sedation options can help you stay relaxed and at ease.
1
Loosening the tooth.
Using specialized dental instruments, Dr. Kessler gently loosens the tooth within the socket.
2
Removing the tooth.
The tooth is carefully lifted from its socket. If a tooth is broken, impacted, or hard to reach, a small incision may be made, or the tooth may be sectioned into pieces, to remove it as gently as possible.
3
Cleaning and protecting the socket.
The empty socket is cleaned and disinfected. In some cases, a bone graft is placed to help preserve the jawbone for future tooth replacement. Stitches may be used when needed.
4
Initial healing.
You will bite down on a gauze pad to help form the blood clot that supports healing. We send you home with clear aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable and healing well.
5
Tooth Extraction Pricing
We keep our extraction pricing clear and upfront. Your dentist will let you know whether you need a simple or complex extraction after examining your tooth.
Simple
Extraction
$149
Complex
Extraction
$199
Pricing shown is for denture patients. Your treatment plan and final pricing will be confirmed at your visit. We are in-network with most major dental insurance plans and will verify your benefits for you.
Replacing Your Tooth After an Extraction
Removing a failing tooth is often just the first step. Leaving a gap can lead to shifting teeth, bite changes, and bone loss over time, so we will talk with you about replacing the tooth to keep your smile healthy and complete. Depending on your needs, options include a single-tooth implant, an implant bridge, or, when several teeth are being removed, full or snap-in dentures. If your jawbone needs strengthening first, bone grafting can rebuild a healthy foundation.
Why Choose Auburn Dentures & Implants
- Focused expertise in dentures and implants, which is all we do
- Gentle, comfortable care with your ease as a top priority
- Honest, transparent pricing with a clear plan before treatment begins
- In-network with most major insurance plans
- A warm, judgment-free team that treats you like a neighbor
Find the Right Treatment for You
Not sure what comes after your extraction? If you are replacing a single tooth, explore a single-tooth implant. For several missing teeth, consider an implant bridge or snap-in dentures. If you are having many teeth removed, immediate dentures let you heal with a full smile, and bone grafting can prepare your jaw for implants. Dr. Kessler will help you choose the best path at your consultation.
