Dentists try their best to save natural teeth at all times. But sometimes the best way to keep the patient safe is by extracting the affected tooth. A tooth extraction can relieve pain, help resolve infection, and support better alignment and oral health for the surrounding teeth.
Patients often feel scared when they realize that a tooth needs to be extracted. It is important for patients to know about the reasons behind dental extractions.
Severe Tooth Decay
One of the most common reasons for a dental extraction is advanced tooth decay. When the tooth is decaying so much that it is affecting its inner structure and the damage is irreversible, then even the restoration procedures become useless.
There might come a point when dentists will need to extract a tooth that has been extensively affected by decay because the filling, the crowns, or the root canal treatments have been ineffective in saving the tooth. Early dental care often helps prevent decay from progressing to this stage.
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease affects the tissues and bone that support the teeth. If the gum disease is severe, the gums may detach from the teeth, and the bones will become weak.
As the support becomes weaker, the teeth become loose, and this causes discomfort. Extraction of teeth may be suggested by dentists if the teeth lack sufficient support. Early treatment for gum disease can prevent tooth loss.
Impacted Teeth
Some teeth do not fully erupt through the gums. These are known as impacted teeth. The most frequent type of impacted teeth is the wisdom teeth, although other types of teeth may also be impacted.
An impacted tooth causes pain, swelling, infections, and tooth crowding. In addition, dentists often advise the removal of impacted teeth to protect other teeth from being damaged. The removal of impacted teeth can make the healing process easier.
Dental Trauma or Fractures
In some cases, accidents and injuries cause cracks or breaks in teeth that extend beneath the gum line. Minor trauma may be corrected through restorative procedures, while a serious break will render the tooth incapable of repair.
If the tooth structure is unable to support a crown or other restoration, removal may become necessary. This can help relieve pain and allow patients to explore replacement options.
Overcrowding and Orthodontic Treatment
In some cases, dentists remove teeth to create enough space for orthodontic treatment. The presence of crowded teeth can inhibit proper teeth positioning when undergoing braces or aligners.
The extraction of one or several teeth could help achieve proper spacing and proper teeth positioning as well. This process is carefully considered prior to any orthodontic dental procedure.
Replacing Missing Teeth After Extraction
Once a tooth is extracted, your dentist will give you the option to get your tooth replaced using a dental implant, bridge, or dentures.
Getting a replacement will help in maintaining proper alignment and chewing abilities. This process prevents teeth from shifting position, which can cause other problems in the mouth.
Schedule a Dental Evaluation
It becomes imperative to have dental extractions done if there is an inability of a particular tooth to provide normal functioning of the mouth or if its retention will cause more harm to the patient.
The dentists at Precision Smile Dentistry offer professional dental consultations and efficient dental extraction services that meet the unique needs of each of our patients. Feel free to contact us for more information.