Tooth Extractions near Fairfield

Our first instinct is always to save a tooth, but sometimes removal is the right decision: decay or fracture has gone too far, an infection cannot be resolved, advanced gum disease has loosened the tooth, or a tooth must be removed to make room for orthodontic treatment or a denture. When that is the case, we make the procedure as calm and comfortable as possible and plan the replacement before the tooth comes out, so you are never left with a gap and no path forward.

A simple extraction is the removal of a tooth that is fully erupted and visible above the gum. After thorough numbing, Dr. Carter gently loosens the tooth and lifts it from its socket. Most patients are surprised by how quick it is and report pressure rather than pain. We place gauze, review aftercare in detail, and send you home with written instructions. Healing is usually uneventful, with discomfort peaking in the first two days and easing steadily afterward.

Replacing the tooth matters. An empty space lets neighboring teeth drift and the jawbone shrink. Depending on the location and your goals, the replacement may be a dental implant, a bridge or a partial denture. We discuss those options at the same visit and can sometimes place a bone-preserving graft at the time of extraction in coordination with the surgical office to keep an implant possible later.

Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist, and oral surgery is a recognized dental specialty. Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth, teeth with curved or fractured roots, teeth near the nerve canal, and patients who require IV sedation or general anesthesia are referred to a local oral surgeon. We will tell you at the diagnostic visit which category your tooth falls into, and we remain your dental home throughout.