Dr. Schmidtke may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed. Others may have advanced periodontal disease or are broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth) or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
At the time of extraction Dr. Schmidtke will need to numb your tooth, jawbone, and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic. Some patients opt for sedation or general anesthesia. Often, pressure, noise, or infection can be associated with the process. Sedation or general anesthesia can make the procedure much more comfortable to complete.
During the extraction process you will feel significant pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal. Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket cant expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.
You feel the pressure without pain as the local anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction, please let us know right away. It is our goal to make your dental extraction experience as pain free and comfortable as possible.
After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Schmidtke received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Minnesota graduating near the top of his class in 1994. He then completed his internship and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residencies at the prestigious Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan in 1998. During his tenure, he received training from some of the countries leaders in Head and Neck, Plastic, and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Schmidtke is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and holds current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support. He is also a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a member of the Alabama Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, the Alabama Dental Association, the 3rd District Dental Society of the State of Alabama and The Chalmers Lyons Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (famed Oral & Maxillofacial surgical society of the University of Michigan).
After completing his training in Michigan, Dr. Schmidtke moved South to Atlanta where he practiced in Metro Atlanta from 1998 to 2000. In Atlanta, Dr. Schmidtke met his wife (a native of Dothan) and an opportunity arose for Dr. Schmidtke and his family to move West to Vail, Colorado to start his own practice. He achieved great success while in Colorado; however, the Schmidtkes opted to move back to the Wiregrass area in 2005 to be closer to family.
Since August of 2005, Dr. Schmidtke has been a leader in the specialty of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for the Wiregrass and Panhandle of North Florida. He has been recognized by the Donated Dental Services program (a national program for those who are deemed in need of care due to outstanding consequences) for his generous complimentary services. He is known for his compassionate bedside manner and outstanding surgical skills. He offers a wide range of treatments, including extractions, dental implants, oral pathology, anesthesia, and reconstructive procedures.
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