If you need a tooth removed, your comfort is our top priority at Adam Dai, DMD, PC.

man smiling in dental chair in havertown

We Provide Gentle, Stress-Free Tooth Extractions

Tooth Extractions in Havertown

Dr. Adam Dai is an experienced and friendly dentist who can help those in Havertown, PA, explore tooth extraction options. He's devoted to easing your concerns by simplifying the procedure's complexities, ensuring you feel informed and at ease from start to finish.

Common Reasons for a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are not always due to a dental mishap. Various reasons could steer someone towards this procedure, such as:

Severe Tooth Decay: When a tooth is extensively decayed and cannot be salvaged by a dental filling or crown, an extraction becomes imperative to prevent the spread of decay.
Crowded Mouth: Sometimes, tooth extraction is a preparatory step for orthodontic treatments, creating enough space to align remaining teeth optimally.
Risk of Infection: A compromised immune system might necessitate an extraction if there's a risk of infection spreading from a particular tooth.
Gum Disease: If periodontal disease has caused tooth loosening, it might require extraction to safeguard surrounding dental structures.

Types of Tooth Extractions

Simple Extraction: This is performed on a tooth seen in the mouth and is typically executed under a local anesthetic.
Surgical Extraction: A more complex procedure may involve removing some of the bone around the tooth or cutting the tooth before it is extracted.

A Note on Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually come in during late teens or early adulthood. Impacted wisdom teeth, enclosed within the soft tissue or partially erupting from the gum, can present potential problems and are often extracted. However, it's vital to note that Dr. Dai does not remove impacted wisdom teeth but ensures his patients are in expert hands by referring them to a specialist skilled in this procedure.

The Extraction Process: What to Expect

Before the tooth extraction, Dr. Dai thoroughly examines the patient's mouth and reviews the patient's medical history and dental needs. Dr. Dai exemplifies precision and patient care during this process, ensuring every individual is informed, prepared, and comfortable.

Pre-Procedure: Detailed x-rays and a comprehensive exam allow Dr. Dai to understand the tooth's condition and determine the extraction method.
During Extraction: The focused expertise of Dr. Dai ensures the extraction process is as painless and swift as possible, employing local anesthesia to numb the area and facilitating a seamless extraction.
Post-Procedure: Detailed guidance on aftercare, from managing initial bleeding to pain control and ensuring optimal healing, is provided, ensuring each patient navigates through recovery with ease and clarity.

Ensuring Comfort and Care Post-Extraction

Properly caring for your mouth after an extraction is essential to ensuring smooth healing and preventing complications, like dry socket or infection. Dr. Dai dedicates time to walking through the post-extraction journey with every patient, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to manage their recovery successfully.

Gentle Tooth Extractions in Havertown, PA

Dr. Dai's approach to dental care in Havertown, PA, is a breath of fresh air. His dedication to ensuring every patient receives undivided attention and expert care, especially during procedures like tooth extractions, underscores a commitment to dental excellence and patient well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a dental extraction?

You may need a dental extraction for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons include:

A tooth that is so broken down or decayed that it can't be repaired with a filling or crown
A tooth that is causing pain or infection
A tooth that is blocking other teeth from coming in
A tooth that is impacted (unable to fully emerge from the gums

Will I be in pain afterwards?

You may experience some discomfort, pain, and swelling after a tooth is extracted. However, this varies from person to person and tooth to tooth. Dr. Dai will make sure to provide you with the necessary pain management instructions and medication to help minimize these consequences and to help alleviate any discomfort.

If you are experiencing extreme pain, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection, please contact our Havertown office immediately.

What happens during a tooth extraction?

On the day of the procedure, you will be sufficiently numbed around the area of the tooth with a local anesthetic. Once the area and the tooth are numb, Dr. Dai will use special tools to remove the tooth from the socket in the bone. In some cases, the tooth will be cut down into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove.

After the tooth is removed, a piece of gauze will be placed to help stop any bleeding. Sometimes the socket area will be sutured to help with the healing.

What are my options after a dental extraction?

A dental extraction poses many questions regarding the future of your smile and your oral health. Unless you have a wisdom tooth extracted, we recommend replacing a missing tooth. This will prevent your teeth from shifting and causing additional problems with your oral health. When your teeth shift, it can expose roots and cause problems with your bite. When you replace a missing tooth, you prevent the shifting that occurs with tooth loss.

Additionally, replacing missing teeth makes it easier to chew and smile confidently.

Tooth Replacement Options in Havertown

We offer a number of options to meet your needs:

Fixed dental bridge – We can replace a missing tooth with an artificial tooth anchored by two dental crowns. We will match your dental bridge to your existing teeth for an esthetic result.

Partial denture – If you are missing multiple teeth, we can replace multiple teeth at once with a partial denture. Partial dentures come in either a metal base or a lightweight acrylic base. We will discuss which option will work best for you.

Complete denture – If you are facing dental extractions of all of your teeth on your upper or lower arch, a complete denture will replace all of your teeth at once. Our dentures are highly esthetic and fit comfortably.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Adam Dai

Dr. Adam Dai grew up in neighboring Lower Merion, PA. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the Johns Hopkins University and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) from Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry.

Dr. Dai loves helping people and building relationships with his patients. He provides focused, one-on-one attention to each patient, which gives them a unique and personalized experience. He believes in educating patients about their dental health and providing them with the tools to feel empowered to make the right choices for ...