TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Gentle tooth extractions at Elevated Dental in Telluride, CO.
From routine removals to wisdom teeth, we make the process straightforward and comfortable.
Tooth Extractions in Telluride, CO
Okay, getting told your tooth needs to be pulled? It ain’t the best news. What most people find, though, is that the anticipation is almost always worse than the actual experience. Dr. Stinnet keeps extractions as straightforward as possible, makes sure you're fully comfortable before anything happens, and takes the time to explain what's going on so you're never left guessing.
At Elevated Dental, we start that process right here in Telluride.
Dr. Stinnet will evaluate your bone structure, take X-rays, walk through your options, and make sure you have a clear picture of what treatment looks like for you specifically. When placement is the right next step, we coordinate with skilled specialists in the community so you receive seamless, high-quality care from start to finish.
If you've been putting this off, it's worth just calling and talking it through. We're used to those conversations.
Ready to talk about removing that painful tooth? Call us at 1-970-728-3665, send an email, or stop by the office. We're open Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm!
Wisdom Teeth
…and why we sometimes need to remove them
Wisdom teeth are evolutionary leftovers that most modern jaws no longer have room for. This guide breaks down why they cause problems, what impaction actually means, and when patients from Telluride, Montrose, and Ridgway should come in for a consultation.
Most people between 16 and 26 have wisdom teeth working their way in, and most of those people have no idea until something starts to hurt.
At Elevated Dental in Telluride, we can take a quick look at how yours are positioned and tell you honestly whether they need to come out now, whether they are worth watching, or whether you are one of the lucky third of the population that never develops them at all.
No need to drive to Montrose or Grand Junction for a consultation. Call us at 970-728-3665 and we will get you in.
Questions our patients commonly ask about tooth extractions:
When a Tooth Needs to Come Out
Pulling a tooth is always the last resort, not the first suggestion. When we do recommend an extraction, it's because the tooth can't be saved in a way that makes long-term sense for your health.
The most common reasons include severe decay that goes too deep for a crown or filling to fix, a fracture that extends below the gum line, infection that hasn't responded to other treatment, teeth that are impacted and causing problems, or teeth being removed to create space for orthodontic work.
If you're not sure whether a tooth can be saved, that's exactly what a consultation is for. We'll give you an honest read.
If You're Anxious About It…
This is more common than you think. A lot of people avoid dental work not because of the pain, but because of the anticipation of it. We get that, and we have options.
Nitrous oxide is the lightest option, takes effect quickly, and wears off fast enough that most people can drive themselves home. Oral sedation is a stronger option for deeper anxiety, taken before your appointment. Local anesthesia is used for all extractions regardless, so the area is fully numb before anything starts.
Talk to us about what sounds right for your situation. There's no pressure toward any particular option.
What Comes Next
If the tooth being removed needs to be replaced, we can talk through that before the extraction even happens. Dental implants, bridges, and other options all have different timelines and considerations, and it's easier to plan ahead than to figure it out after the fact.
We'll make sure you leave with a clear picture of your options, not a list of things to research on your own.
Routine vs. Surgical Extractions
Not all extractions are the same, and it helps to know the difference going in.
A routine extraction is performed on a tooth that's fully visible above the gum line and reasonably intact. It's a straightforward procedure with a relatively quick recovery.
A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is impacted, broken at or below the gum line, or positioned in a way that makes it harder to access. This is more common with wisdom teeth. The process takes a bit longer and the recovery is slightly more involved, but it's still very manageable.
Dr. Stinnet will tell you which type you're looking at and what to expect before any decisions are made.
Does the tooth fairy still come for wisdom teeth?
Technically yes, but the logistics get complicated. Wisdom teeth are significantly larger than baby teeth, which raises real questions about carrying capacity and whether the tooth fairy operates a tiered pricing model.
The going rate for a baby tooth has reportedly risen to around $5, so by that math a wisdom tooth should fetch somewhere between $15 and $20 based on surface area alone.
Our official position: we hand you back the tooth in a little bag and what you do with it from there is between you and whatever mythology you still believe in. No judgment. We have seen grown adults ask to keep their wisdom teeth as a souvenir and we respect it every time.
To clear, we do not keep your teeth. We went to college and became professional healthcare workers so that we didn’t have to sell our teeth for money. And if anyone asks you for your extracted teeth in the days following, we recommend that you do not engage with them and walk quickly in the opposite direction.
What does the tooth fairy even do with the teeth?
We have no idea. It’s rather unsettling, to be honest. We keep the clinic doors locked after-hours.
One patient of ours reported that the tooth fairly is likely using the calcium, fluorocarbons, and micro-deposits of rare earth metals (embedded in your teeth) for trans-dimensional construction projects. Seems unlikely, seeing as there’s quite a surplus of calcium in the universe.
She could also be using the teeth to collect data. Teeth contain DNA - and are often used in paleoanthropology as a growth record and as a way to gauge dietary history and stress markers. It may well be that the tooth fairy is assembling the most comprehensive biological database in human history. Acquiring teeth right from the source seems considerably more cost effective that future excavations.
It could also be that she just… really likes teeth? And she’s collecting them and storing them somewhere where no one is around to question her motives. Anyhow…we’ll be sure to ask her why if we ever encounter her. Yeah.
We're accepting new patients in Telluride and see patients from Ridgway, Montrose, and surrounding communities throughout the region. Give us a call to schedule if you’re getting tired of that aching tooth!
Call 1-970-728-3665
or email us at office@elevateddentaltelluride.com