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Tooth Extractions
At Crews Dental, our first goal is to help you keep your natural teeth whenever possible. Sometimes, however, a tooth is too damaged, infected, loose, or compromised to be restored. When removal is the healthiest option, we provide tooth extractions for patients in St. Louis, Webster Groves, and the Greater St. Louis area with a focus on comfort and clear communication.
An extraction may be needed because of severe decay, infection, advanced gum disease, dental trauma, crowding, or a tooth that cannot be predictably restored with a filling, crown, or root canal.
Before recommending removal, we evaluate the tooth, gums, supporting bone, bite, and available treatment options so you understand why extraction is being considered.
A tooth may need to be removed when keeping it would create more risk than benefit. Common reasons include:
We will explain the condition of the tooth and discuss any reasonable alternatives before treatment.
If a tooth can be saved with a filling, crown, root canal, periodontal therapy, or another restorative option, we will discuss those choices first.
Extraction is generally considered when the tooth no longer has a predictable long-term outlook because of deep decay, fracture, infection, or loss of supporting bone and gum tissue.
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision rather than remove a tooth unnecessarily.
A simple extraction may be used when the tooth is visible above the gumline and can be removed without more complex access. The area is numbed, and the tooth is carefully loosened and removed while protecting the surrounding tissue.
A surgical extraction may be needed when a tooth is broken at the gumline, impacted, partially erupted, or positioned in a way that requires additional access. Surgical cases are planned based on the tooth, surrounding bone, and nearby structures.
If specialty care is the safer or more appropriate option, we will explain that and help guide the next step.
When a permanent tooth is removed, we will discuss whether it should be replaced. Depending on the location of the tooth and your oral health, options may include:
Not every extracted tooth needs replacement, but leaving a space can sometimes allow nearby teeth to shift or change how your bite functions.
Before treatment, we review your medical history, explain the procedure, and make sure the area is numb. After the tooth is removed, we provide instructions for controlling bleeding, protecting the healing area, managing discomfort, and keeping the mouth clean.
Follow the instructions carefully and contact us if pain or swelling is worsening rather than improving, bleeding is difficult to control, or you have concerns about healing.
An extraction should be part of a larger plan, not an isolated procedure. We want to understand why the tooth was lost, how to protect the surrounding teeth and gums, and what will best support your bite moving forward.