TOOTH EXTRACTION

STRESS-FREE DENTAL EXTRACTIONS WITH PRECISION, SPECIALTY SURGICAL CARE

In dentistry, an extraction simply means removing a tooth. There are many reasons a tooth may need to be removed.

General dentists focus on helping patients preserve their natural teeth whenever possible. However, when a tooth becomes too damaged, it can threaten the health of nearby teeth and even affect overall wellness. In these cases, your dentist may refer you to a specialist for safe and precise care.

At Liberty Oral & Facial Surgery in Post Falls, Idaho, and Spokane Valley, Washington, our oral surgeon, Dr. Bryan McLelland, provides expert treatment for conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and face. Our goal is to make every extraction stress-free and comfortable while delivering the highest level of surgical precision. We’re proud to be the Inland Northwest’s trusted choice for oral and maxillofacial surgery.

CANDIDATES FOR TOOTH REMOVAL

Root canal therapy is often the last resort to save a severely damaged or decayed tooth. However, not all teeth are good candidates for nonsurgical root canal treatment. In some cases, the tooth may be too damaged to repair. Even after root canal therapy, a tooth can sometimes fail. Retreatment or other endodontic procedures may not fully remove the infection or preserve the natural tooth.

Trauma from accidents or sports injuries can also make a tooth beyond repair. When fractures reach the roots or nerves, the tooth may not respond to treatment. Severe infections or abscesses can cause persistent, painful toothaches that require emergency care. If untreated, these infections may spread to other areas of the face or body, leading to a serious systemic infection.

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth is another common reason for tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop. They usually appear during the late teenage years or early adulthood—when people are said to be “gaining wisdom.” By this time, there is often little room left for them to emerge properly. As a result, they can become impacted or trapped beneath the gums or bone.

Because wisdom teeth are not needed for normal function, our specialists often recommend removal. We monitor their development and advise extraction before they cause pain, swelling, or other complications.