Tooth Extraction
At Brea Premier Dentistry, we want the best for your smile and dental health. Sometimes, that means removing a tooth that is severely damaged or fractured and is not salvageable to protect your health.
We understand that finding out you need a tooth extraction can feel upsetting. However, if you need a tooth extraction in Brea, our team is committed to providing you with a comfortable and stress-free experience.
Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction
Removing a tooth is always a last resort when no other viable procedure can save your tooth or protect your dental health. Dr. Lee would recommend tooth extraction for these situations:
- Advanced gum disease
- Severe decay
- Problematic wisdom teeth
- Preparation for orthodontic treatment
- Extreme fracture or crack in your tooth
- Preparation for dentures
If we’re not removing wisdom teeth or your tooth for orthodontic treatment, Dr. Lee can talk with you about your options for tooth replacement.
What to Expect During Tooth Extraction in Brea, CA
Knowing exactly what to expect from your dental procedure relieves some of the anxiety you may be feeling about it. So here’s what you can expect from the tooth extraction process:
- Step #1: The initial evaluation: Dr. Lee will perform a thorough examination and use x-rays to evaluate your condition and plan your tooth extraction procedure ahead of time.
- Step #2: Deliver anesthetic: Dr. Lee uses the best dental anesthetics to ensure that you don’t feel a thing during your procedure and have a pain-free experience.
- Step #3: Tooth removal: Dr. Lee is gentle, highly trained, and experienced in tooth extraction. His skills and expertise make for a pain-free experience.
- Step #4: The recovery process: Our team is here to support you through every step of the extraction process, including your recovery. We’ll provide you with detailed instructions and support to ensure you have a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Why We Recommend Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars because they arrive at the very back of your mouth behind your second molars. Wisdom teeth come in around the ages of 18 to 25 years old, and most people don’t have enough space in their mouths to support them successfully.
Some other reasons we recommend wisdom tooth extraction are:
- Cleanliness: When you can’t keep wisdom teeth clean, it increases your risk of developing problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
- Crowding: If there’s not enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth, they may crowd your other teeth, resulting in tooth movement or shifting.
- Impaction: Impacted wisdom teeth are stuck below the gumline and could cause an infection.
- Risk: Your wisdom teeth can threaten neighboring teeth when they erupt at odd angles.
Contact Your Brea Dentist
If you suspect you or a loved one might need a tooth extraction, we would love to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Kevin Lee is happy to provide most types of tooth extraction at our dental office in Brea, CA, including wisdom teeth. Dr. Lee does most extractions in-house, referring only complex oral surgeries to an oral surgeon.
Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Wisdom tooth (third molar) extraction is recommended for most people because they can't usually successfully support wisdom teeth. However, there are a few people who can keep their third molars. Using x-rays and an exam, Dr. Lee can determine if you need your wisdom teeth removed during an evaluation.
Here are some of the reasons we suggest extracting wisdom teeth for most people:
- Wisdom teeth may crowd your surrounding teeth if you don't have room for them.
- You may not be able to successfully brush and floss your wisdom teeth, increasing your risk of developing problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
- If your wisdom teeth are impacted, or stuck below your gumline, they can cause an infection.
- Wisdom teeth that come in at odd angles could negatively impact your surrounding teeth.
Contact Brea Premier Dentistry
If you have questions about wisdom tooth extraction in Brea or would like to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lee, please contact us at (714) 529-5999.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Kevin Lee
Dr. Kevin Lee earned a BS in human biology at the University of California, San Diego, his DDS at the University of Maryland Dental School, and his General Practice Residency (GPR) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Lee decided to become a dentist after going on a humanitarian medical mission trip to Mexico. During this trip, he witnessed many patients with missing teeth and poor overall dental health affecting their quality of life.
Dr. Lee's favorite aspect of being a dentist is the interaction he has with his patients and the ability to ...