Tooth Extraction in Manhattan, NY

If a tooth is causing extreme pain, discomfort, or infection, the tooth may be damaged beyond repair and require an extraction. A patient experiencing any oral pain should schedule a consultation and exam with general and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Victoria Veytsman, at her Midtown East office, Cosmetic Dental Studios, as soon as possible. Dr. Veytsman will be able to assess the patient's situation and perform a tooth extraction if needed. Dr. Veytsman will discuss the patient's options, including a simple or surgical extraction before proceeding with the procedure. A simple extraction is an easy process and is performed if the tooth is visible. Surgical tooth removal is a more extensive procedure and is used if the tooth that needs to be extracted is not fully visible above the gum line.

Both simple and surgical tooth extractions performed at Cosmetic Dental Studios help patients resolve issues with one or more teeth that have the potential to become much more serious if unaddressed. Functional and aesthetic benefits of tooth extraction include:

• Prevents wisdom teeth from disrupting the rest of the mouth
• Can enable the growth of permanent teeth in younger children
• May allow for smile-changing orthodontics to be installed
• Averts further complications from tooth decay or infection
• Treats tooth problems that may result from trauma like car accidents or sports injuries
• Avoids infection from partially impacted or erupted teeth

If your tooth has been damaged or broken from decay, Dr. Veytsman will make every effort to repair it using a bonding, crown, or filling. However, a tooth might be too far into decay and will have to be extracted to prevent the damage from spreading — and to conserve the health of the rest of the teeth. You might also need a simple or surgical extraction to remove teeth that don't fit in your mouth. This procedure generally involves your third molars, popularly called wisdom teeth, that grow around the ages of 17 – 21. In older children, infant teeth that have not naturally fallen out may need to get extracted — so that they don't block the permanent teeth. In addition, if you are getting orthodontics or considering Invisalign aligners, then you might need an extraction to make room for the remaining teeth when they move into their proper position.

Depending on whether Dr. Veytsman performs a simple or surgical tooth extraction, the technique and experience will differ. In either case, there will be a thorough examination prior to extraction when digital X-rays will be taken to determine the type of extraction needed. In addition, the patient is usually offered a form of sedation to help the patient feel comfortable and at ease during the procedure. It’s advised that the patient not eat or drink anything for 6 – 8 hours before the surgery. If a patient experiences nausea or vomiting before the extraction, they will need to call Dr. Veytsman's office to possibly reschedule and avoid health complications. Smoking on the day of surgery is prohibited because of the risks and complications it can pose in the healing process.

With a simple extraction, Dr. Veytsman will give the patient a local anesthetic to alleviate any pain. Dr. Veytsman will then use a pair of forceps to grip the impacted tooth and loosen it from the jawbones and the ligaments which hold it in place. The socket that holds the tooth must be widened and enlarged to separate the tooth from the ligaments. A device called a dental elevator, a screwdriver-like tool, is placed between the tooth and gum to make it easier to remove the tooth by expanding the socket. 

Wisdom teeth or any teeth not visible above the gum line, such as severely broken teeth or teeth with long, curved roots, require a more complex surgical extraction. General anesthesia is often used on the patient prior to procedure. To obtain access to the impacted tooth, Dr. Veytsman may need to cut through bone, gums, and tissue. Sometimes, she will need to cut the tooth in pieces in order to fully remove it.

After either type of extraction, a blood clot will usually form in the socket of the removed tooth. After a simple extraction, Dr. Veytsman will pack the area with gauze and have the patient bite down in order to stop bleeding. With surgical extraction, Dr. Veytsman will stitch the area and then place the gauze pads. After extraction, the patient should refrain from unnecessary eating, drinking, or talking for at least 2 hours. After the bleeding has stopped, the patient should drink plenty of cold or lukewarm fluids.

On the first day after the extraction, only soft foods should be eaten and the patient shouldn’t brush or rinse their teeth for 12 hours following the extraction. When brushing is resumed, the extraction area should be avoided with the toothbrush, but the area can be gently rinsed with salt water. The patient also shouldn’t spit forcefully, which may dislodge the blood clot. The healing process usually starts about 1 – 2 weeks following the tooth extraction. This is the time when new gum tissue and bone will fill in the gap where the tooth or teeth have been removed. After about 3 – 4 weeks, the gums should be fully healed. Complete healing of the entire mouth can take up to 6 months, but it varies from person to person.

There are several factors that determine how much a tooth extraction will cost, such as the type of extraction, the difficulty of removing the tooth, and how many teeth will be extracted. During the patient’s consultation, Dr. Veytsman will provide a breakdown of pricing. Our front office can also check with the patient’s insurance carrier since many dental insurance plans will pay up to 80% of the cost, if the surgery is a medical necessity.

Do I need a wisdom tooth removed?
When pain or other complications from a wisdom tooth become too much to handle, the only option is removal. A wisdom tooth can disrupt the healthy growth of other teeth or cause problems like bleeding and swelling in the gums. Dr. Veytsman can perform a quick exam and take images of the affected area to let you know if wisdom tooth removal is needed to improve your health.

What will replace the missing tooth?
Patients who undergo wisdom tooth removal won't need any dental replacements. In other cases, a dental implant may be recommended to replace the extracted tooth. Cosmetic Dental Studios can discuss options and present solutions that will restore your natural bite and function as well as possible.

What sedation options do you offer?
For patients who are especially anxious about the treatment, our Manhattan dental clinic offers both heavy and light methods of sedation to help you feel as relaxed as possible throughout treatment. The type of sedation used depends on each individual's needs and preferences, as well as the type of surgery performed.

If you think that you could benefit from a tooth extraction, we would be more than happy to assist you. Give our friendly staff a call today, so we can schedule your consultation with Dr. Veytsman at her Midtown East office immediately. During your consultation, Dr. Veytsman can give you all of the information you need about tooth extraction to help you make an informed decision.