Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Although you’re supposed to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, sometimes they need to be extracted. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Though wisdom tooth extractions are the most common, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center may need to remove a tooth for other reasons such as the following.

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.


• Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.


• People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.

If you suspect that you have a tooth that might need to be extracted, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Tooth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into a patient’s tooth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, that patient will need a tooth extraction, and at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. James Cavalancia perform extractions to ensure that their patient’s oral health is restored.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the extraction site. If it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Your dentist at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center may also choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone after the tooth is removed. Once finished, your dentist will suture the gums.

After the extraction, it is critical for patients to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. Patients must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, patients should not smoke, rinse their mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

Patients suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction can turn to Dr. Shireen Malik or Dr. James Cavalancia to determine if a tooth extraction is required to save their smile.  Schedule an appointment in Philadelphia, PA by calling (215) 279-1193. For more information about Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center and its services, please visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.