Tooth Extractions and the Role of a Periodontist

Reviewed by Dr. Kerri Font, DDS

Reading time: three minutes.

When gum disease or infection threatens your oral health, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. While many people assume that means a tooth will need to be pulled, extractions are not always the first step.

Periodontists are specialists in saving teeth. They use advanced treatments like scaling and root planing, laser therapy, and gum surgery to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. But when extraction is necessary, they are also the experts in removing teeth safely and planning for long-term solutions like dental implants.

In this blog, you will learn when a tooth extraction is necessary, what makes periodontists uniquely qualified, and how advanced treatments like laser therapy can help you avoid losing a tooth in the first place

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

Periodontists are trained to extract teeth, but their priority is preserving your natural smile. Through specialized treatments like laser therapy and other conservative care, they work to avoid extractions whenever possible. When removal is necessary, they provide expert care from extraction through dental implant placement.

The Role of a Periodontist in Tooth Preservation

A periodontist is a dental specialist focused on the health of your gums, soft tissues, and bone structures that support your teeth. 

At Highlands Ranch Periodontics & Dental Implants, our periodontists  Dr. Bahman (Mike) Norouzinia, DDS and Dr. Kerri Font, DDS , work closely with general dentists to treat advanced gum disease, perform surgical procedures, and offer dental implant solutions when needed.

One of their most important responsibilities? Preventing tooth loss whenever they can. This includes performing deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and other periodontal procedures to stabilize gum tissue and bone.

Laser Treatment For Gum Disease

At our periodontal office in Highlands Ranch and Sloan’s Lake, we offer Biolase® diode laser for patients with gum disease. 

This minimally invasive periodontal treatment uses targeted laser energy to remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. It reduces discomfort, shortens recovery, and helps avoid oral surgery or extractions.

If caught early, laser treatment for gum disease can stop the disease from progressing and allow your body to regenerate healthy tissue and bone. This is one of the most effective ways to protect your natural teeth without surgical treatment.

When Tooth Extraction Becomes Necessary

Tooth extraction is only considered after other treatments have been ruled out. In cases of severe gum disease, bone loss, or infection that has spread into surrounding tissues, removing the tooth may be the only way to protect your oral health and overall health. 

Here are common reasons why a periodontist may recommend extraction:

  • Severe periodontal disease: Deep infections and bone loss that can no longer support the tooth.
  • Advanced gum recession: Exposed roots and weakened gum tissue leave the tooth vulnerable.
  • Infection risk: When the infection threatens to spread beyond the mouth.
  • To prepare for dental implants: Sometimes, damaged teeth or loose teeth must be removed before placing an implant.

Periodontists are trained to perform both simple dental extractions and more complex surgical tooth extractions, including those involving wisdom teeth or severe tooth decay.

Learn more about Periodontics. 

Tooth Extraction And Dental Implants

If a tooth cannot be saved, dental implants offer a long-lasting replacement option. Unlike removable dentures, implants are anchored directly into the jawbone with a titanium post and finished with a natural-looking crown, restoring both function and appearance.

Our periodontists manage both the extraction and the implant placement, creating a streamlined treatment plan that protects your bone structure and supports healthy gum tissue. If there is not enough bone to support an implant, bone grafting may be recommended first to rebuild the area and ensure long-term success.

Specialized Periodontal Care Starts Here

If you are facing gum disease, infection, or a possible tooth extraction, do not wait to get expert care. Our periodontists in Highlands Ranch and Sloan’s Lake specialize in saving teeth whenever possible—and providing expert extractions and dental implants when necessary.

Call us today to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward restoring your oral health with a personalized treatment plan.

Highlands Ranch Office
To book a periodontal consultation at our periodontal clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO, call (303) 683-1144 or visit us at 9090 S Ridgeline Blvd. #225, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.

Sloan’s Lake Office
To book a periodontal consultation at our periodontal office in Sloan’s Lake, call (303) 683-1144 or visit us at 525 North Raleigh Street Suite 130 Denver, CO 80204.

Categories: Periodontics