General Tooth Extractions

We Extract Teeth Quickly and Comfortably

Dental professionals make every effort to save your natural teeth. However, severely broken or infected teeth may need to be extracted. By removing the unhealthy tooth, we protect the health of your other teeth by preventing any infection or damage from spreading. An extraction is also performed to protect other oral structures, such as the gums and jaw bone.

Dr. Harris, Dr. Park, Dr. Brown, Dr. Wood, and Dr. Holladay perform extractions in the comfort of our offices, located in Provo, Payson, South Jordan, and Lehi, Utah. To schedule an appointment with one of our expert oral surgeons, contact Utah Surgical Arts today.

Why Extract a Tooth?

When you have a tooth that has been broken or damaged by decay, it can sometimes be fixed with a filling, root canal, or a crown. Occasionally, there is too much damage for one of these procedures, and the tooth must be removed. Some of the common reasons for tooth removal include:

• Infection. The center of the tooth contains blood vessels and nerves. When tooth decay or damage that enters the center of the tooth, it can become incurable through root canal therapy. Patients with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to infection.
• Overcrowding. Baby teeth that do not fall out in time and extra teeth in the mouth should be removed so that other teeth can grow properly.
• Tooth Loosening. An infection of the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth, also known as periodontal disease, may loosen adult teeth and require extraction.

The Tooth Extraction Process at Utah Surgical Arts

Before scheduling your procedure, your surgeon will perform a complete oral exam and take CBCT scans of the mouth. If the gums have been affected by a troubled tooth, bone grafting may be considered to rebuild areas where the jaw bone has weakened, or to prepare for dental implants.

Many tooth extractions can be completed during a single surgical visit, sometimes on the same day as the consultation. As oral surgeons, we offer all forms of anesthesia and sedation. Most extractions are performed using local anesthesia, which numbs the surgical area only. We will discuss your options with you prior to performing any type of oral surgery.

You have several options to consider after having a tooth extracted. Part of our treatment involves patient education, so that you can make an informed choice that is right for you and your oral health.

• Dental Implants. A dental implant can replace one or many teeth, and is the only replacement option that prevents the jaw bone from deteriorating. The implant post fuses to the jaw bone, providing stimulation and keeping the jaw bone strong.
• Implant-Supported Bridge. A dental implant can be placed and used to support a bridge where several teeth are missing beside each other. The bridge is fixed and will only be removed by your dentist.
• Removable Dentures/Bridges. These options cosmetically restore your smile, but do not serve as fully functional teeth. You must take out your dentures during meals and cleaning, and because they remain on the surface, they do not prevent jaw bone loss.
• Socket Preservation. Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting that involves placing graft material into the empty tooth socket. This preserves the socket’s size and shape, allowing for easier future implant placement.
• No Replacement. By not replacing a missing tooth, nearby teeth can shift into the open space. Without stimulation from a tooth root or implant post, the jaw bone will deteriorate over time.

We want all of our patients to have healthy smiles to wear with pride. To learn more about your options for tooth replacement, or if you are in need of a tooth extraction, contact our Provo, Payson, South Jordan, or Lehi, Utah, office today.

AAAHC Accreditation

Utah Surgical Arts is approved by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation is difficult to obtain and allows our office to function as a hospital and/or surgical center. Since extensive surgeries must be performed in a surgical center, there are many instances where the patient may be unable to undergo surgery due to the high cost of the hospital or surgical center. If your surgery can be performed at Utah Surgical Arts, the cost savings may be significant. Many patients who were unable to have the procedure due to the high cost involved were able to have the procedure performed at Utah Surgical Arts. Learn More.