Tooth Extraction in Columbia, IL
At Workman Family Dental, our goal is to serve you with comprehensive treatments that maintain and restore your oral health.
We will never recommend extracting a tooth as long as there is a conservative alternative. But there are times when extraction is the best option for protecting your overall oral health and avoiding further discomfort in the future.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
We want you to feel fully informed about all your options before we decide to remove a tooth.
There are a number of circumstances where Dr. Steven Workman may recommend extraction, such as:
- A tooth has grown in at an odd angle and threatens the position of other healthy teeth.
- A broken or decayed tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a root canal or similar procedure.
- Advanced gum disease has made extraction necessary to save the gums and the rest of the teeth.
- We’re preparing for orthodontic treatment and need to remove some teeth for the best results.
- A wisdom tooth has erupted in such a way that it compromises surrounding teeth.
Skilled Care with a Gentle Touch
Our team is here to make your procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Dr. Workman has the experience and skill necessary to offer our patients a comfortable, gentle procedure. Every member of our attentive team is focused on you and your concerns. We understand that a procedure like tooth extraction can be intimidating, so we’ll be with you every step of the way to support and encourage you.
We’ve found that, for most patients, our gentle approach and concern are usually all that’s required to help them have a comfortable tooth extraction with a minimum of stress. If you need a little extra help, though, we’re also pleased to offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation so you can remain relaxed during your procedure.
Nitrous oxide is a safe, gentle sedative that is mixed with oxygen and delivered through a small nasal mask. All you have to do is sit back, breathe normally, and drift into a more relaxed state. You will be alert enough to respond to questions from our team, but you will feel detached from the other activity going on around you. When the procedure is over and we stop administering the gas, you will feel no lingering after-effects.
Nitrous has been used safely for decades; in fact, it is so mild that it’s safe enough to use for children!
Call to Get the Help You Need
If you have a tooth that’s causing discomfort and you're not sure what your options are, please don’t hesitate to call us. We offer emergency treatment, so please call our Columbia dental office if you are in pain. We can get you the relief you need as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know it can be unpleasant to face the prospect of having a tooth extracted. At Workman Family Dental, we take the steps necessary to preserve a tooth in whatever way we can. However, there are certain cases where removal of the tooth is our only option.
If we find that you need to have a tooth removed, you can feel comfortable knowing that your care is in the hands of professionals who have your best interest at heart. Our exceptional team has years of experience, and we have helped many fearful patients relax and get the care they need.
Some reasons why we would extract a tooth are:
- A tooth is so severely damaged that it can’t be saved.
- A wisdom tooth has erupted at an odd angle, putting surrounding teeth at risk.
- We are preparing for placement of a dental implant or dentures.
- Your recommended orthodontic treatment requires the removal of teeth for optimal results.
Post Procedure Recovery
After your procedure, you may experience some discomfort. You can get relief by applying an ice pack to the area and taking any prescribed pain medications. Any discomfort will usually subside after 48 hours.
Please don’t let fear about the procedure prevent you from getting the care you need. If you suspect you may need a tooth extracted, please call our Columbia dental office to arrange an appointment.
Meet Our Doctor:
Steven Workman DMD
“I became a dentist to help others. I enjoy meeting and interacting with people and having the ability to help them on a daily basis through dentistry.”
Dr. Steven Workman attended Illinois College, where he majored in biology and chemistry and graduated summa cum laude in 2004. Dr. Workman received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2008, graduating with honors.
Dr. Workman is a lifelong learner and committed to staying current with cutting-edge advances in dentistry. He is particularly interested in implant placement ...