Tooth Extractions

Have a Tooth Pulled in Bakersfield

At McCullough Dental, we like to think of extractions as solutions! Sometimes a tooth is causing too much of a problem to be allowed to stay in your mouth. When this happens, we will extract the tooth, and provide any replacement options that are needed.

We know that contemplating a tooth extraction is rarely pleasant. In our Bakersfield office, we will ensure that your tooth extraction is quick, painless, and only performed if absolutely necessary.

Avoiding Tooth Extractions

We’d like you to keep your natural adult teeth for as long as possible, and we’re sure you agree. Not only are natural teeth better than any prosthetic, but missing teeth can have negative impacts on your oral health.

The Last Option

Avoiding tooth extraction is something that can be done through preventative care, which includes consistent oral hygiene and faithful semi-annual checkups and cleanings. These simple precautions can help you avoid more serious procedures and keep your natural teeth in your mouth.

When Extraction Can’t Be Avoided

Though we give it our best effort, sometimes we are unable to save a natural tooth. When the situation gets to that point, we will recommend a tooth extraction. Situations that may require tooth removal include:

• Continuing tooth decay.
• Continuing infection or abscess.
• Continuing gum disease.
• Teeth that are impacted into the gums.
• Fractured teeth.
• Overcrowding that can’t be fixed with orthodontics.

If you are experiencing one of these issues, we may recommend a tooth extraction. Getting a tooth pulled isn’t the end of the world. Not only is it the best option for your oral health in these cases, but we can also provide restorative options to replace missing teeth as needed.

What if I Need To Have a Tooth Pulled?

While Dr. McCullough is trained to do everything possible to save your natural teeth, sometimes he will have no choice but to recommend an extraction. In that case, we will need to perform x-rays to gather as much information as we can before the tooth removal. In the most difficult situations, we may refer you to an oral surgeon.

An extraction involves removing a decayed or damaged tooth from its socket. A skilled dentist like Dr. McCullough, who is trained to use the proper techniques, will be able to greatly reduce any pain and discomfort.

Benefits of Pulling Teeth

Depending on the specific case, there can be a variety of benefits to pulling a tooth that needs it. When a tooth becomes so infected that it becomes a danger to surrounding tissue, or when teeth are growing in such a way that they inhibit the growth of other teeth, extraction is often the best course of action.

It might not seem like there’s a lot of good to be said about losing one of your permanent teeth, but there are some positive outcomes. Here’s why extracting unruly or damaged teeth is beneficial to your oral health:

• Protects the health of surrounding tissue.
• Makes room for other teeth to grow in correctly.
• Puts an end to any pain and discomfort.
• Stops the spread of infection.

While we only pull teeth as a last resort, when we do perform an extraction, it is because it is the best decision for your overall oral health. At McCullough Dental, we do not make decisions like extraction lightly.

Extractions at McCullough Dental

We are confident that our dentists here at McCullough Dental will provide high-quality care for you and your teeth before, during, and after extraction. If you are in the Bakersfield area, including Tehachapi and Delano, and have any questions about our extraction process or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today!