Some teeth are beyond saving — whether from advanced decay, fracture, infection, or failed root canal treatment. When a general dentist refers you to an oral surgeon for extraction, it typically means the case involves surgical complexity: impacted teeth, teeth with curved or fractured roots, teeth fused to bone (ankylosis), or teeth adjacent to nerves or sinuses that require advanced imaging and surgical skill to remove safely.
What Makes an Extraction "Surgical"
Impacted teeth — teeth that have not fully erupted and are partially or completely embedded in bone (see wisdom teeth). Broken or fractured teeth — root tips remaining below the gum line after the crown has fractured. Ankylosed teeth — teeth fused directly to bone, requiring bone removal for extraction. Teeth near critical structures — lower teeth near the inferior alveolar nerve, upper teeth near the maxillary sinus. Multiple extractions — full-mouth extractions in preparation for full-arch dental implants.
Socket Preservation
When future dental implants are planned, Dr. Kahwach performs socket preservation grafting at the time of extraction — placing bone graft material into the extraction socket to maintain bone volume and width. This critical step prevents the rapid bone resorption that occurs after tooth loss and dramatically improves implant outcomes. PRF therapy is applied to accelerate healing.
All extractions are available under local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
Schedule an extraction consultation — Dr. Kahwach uses CBCT 3D imaging to map root anatomy and plan the safest approach.