Tooth Extractions in Summerville, SC

At Finkbine Family Dental, we support your oral health goals with a broad range of services designed to fit all your needs. Even when a problem develops, we will do everything we can to preserve your health and your teeth for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, if a tooth is damaged beyond the point where we can restore it, extraction is our only choice. We understand the anxiety that this can create. If you need an extraction, we will be by your side throughout the procedure, providing you with gentle treatment and calming reassurance.

We treat you like family every time you visit because we want you to feel at ease with us if a procedure like extraction is necessary.

Reasons for Removing a Tooth

Tooth extraction is usually the last resort, and we will never recommend the procedure unless it’s our only option for protecting the health of the rest of your smile. However, there are several situations where we need to perform an extraction:

Advanced Decay – A tooth is so damaged by decay that a filling or crown isn't sufficient to protect it.
Root Canal Infection – Infection of the root canal has advanced to the stage that we can’t resolve it with traditional treatment.
Preparation for Dentures – You are getting dentures and need to have one or more teeth removed for the best outcome.
Wisdom Teeth – You don’t need wisdom teeth, and since they are far back in your mouth, they’re difficult to clean, which can lead to ineffective oral hygiene. Additionally, wisdom teeth can come in incorrectly and lead to a number of problems that affect your existing, healthy teeth. In these cases, we recommend extraction.

Skilled Surgical Extractions

The majority of tooth extractions we perform at our Summerville, SC dental office are straightforward. However, there are situations where it’s necessary for Dr. Megan to add certain surgical steps to the procedure.

This will happen if a tooth breaks off at the gum line or it splits into pieces. In certain cases, we may need to remove some of the bone surrounding the tooth to make extraction easier.

We perform the majority of extractions at our office; however, Dr. Megan will refer you to a trusted local oral surgeon if you need removal of impacted wisdom teeth.

We Provide Warm and Supportive Care

When you need a procedure like an extraction, it’s good to know that you can count on the friendly, compassionate team at Finkbine Family Dentistry. We have decades of combined experience and know what it takes to help you remain calm and relaxed at all times.

An extraction can be intimidating, but we can assure you that our team will be by your side to comfort you and even hold your hand if it helps you relax! Our focus is entirely on your needs because we want you to be as comfortable as possible during your procedure.

Some people require a little additional help to relax, and we can talk to you about the option of prescribing a calming sedative to take before you arrive at our office. You will feel drowsy and very relaxed, allowing you to remain comfortable during your procedure. Please note that the effects of the sedative take a while to wear off, so you will need a friend to get you to and from your appointment.

Please Call for an Appointment

It’s completely understandable to feel a little anxious and overwhelmed by a procedure like tooth extraction. The team at Finkbine Family Dentistry will go out of their way to provide you with the gentle, personalized care you deserve.

Please call us to arrange a consultation if you need to have a tooth extracted. In the case of emergency, call our regular office number, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I replace my missing teeth?

At Finkbine Family Dentistry, we offer several different options for replacing missing teeth.

First, there are removable options – a conventional metal framework partial, an acrylic-based partial, or a Nesbit appliance. A conventional metal framework partial is the most accurate and durable option in the removable category. An acrylic-based partial is typically considered a temporary, or transitional, appliance. It is, however, far less costly than a metal framework partial. Both metal and acrylic partials are used to replace multiple missing teeth. A Nesbit appliance is a smaller partial that only replaces one missing tooth.

Second, there are non-removable options. Those include a conventional bridge or an implant-supported crown. When we create a conventional bridge, we first prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth for crowns. The bridge is a solid unit that consists of an artificial tooth suspended by crowns on either side and fills the space of the missing tooth.

In the case of an implant-supported crown, which is the best option for a single missing tooth, we refer our patients to a periodontist or oral surgeon to have the implant placed. After three months, the dental implant will have integrated with the jaw, and we can place the crown.

If you have missing teeth and would like to determine the best solution for your needs, please call our Summerville, SC dental office. Our doctors will be happy to sit down with you to talk about your options and help you decide which is right for you.

Meet Our Doctors:

Dr. Dale Finkbine RETIRED

Dr. Dale Finkbine grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State College of Dentistry in 1972 before joining US Navy Dental Corp. During his time in the Navy, he was transferred to ...

Dr. Megan Finkbine Griffin

Dr. Megan Finkbine joined Finkbine Family Dentistry in July of 2010 after completing a year working for the Arctic Slope Native Corporation in Barrow, Alaska. She is a 2003 graduate of Wofford College and completed ...