5 Reasons Your Tooth May Need Extraction
Your teeth are built to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, your teeth aren’t always exempt from damage or disease. While an experienced and skilled dentist will do everything possible to save a compromised tooth, it is not always possible. In fact, there are a number of reasons why removing an adult (permanent) tooth may be best. In all cases, you should trust that your dentist has your best interest and health in mind if an extraction is recommended in your treatment plan.
Here are some situations in which tooth removal is necessary:
#1 Severe Decay and Irreparable Tooth Damage
If a cavity is caught too late or if the decay reaches the center of the tooth, the damage may not be reversible with a root canal. In such cases, the tooth (along with its decay and infection) should be removed to avoid damage to nearby teeth and worsening pain.
#2 Advanced Gum Disease, or Periodontitis
When periodontal disease is allowed to progress, the infection can affect and destroy the gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone and other structures surrounding a tooth or teeth. While there are proven treatments for gum disease, if the infection has caused notable loosening of the tooth, extraction may be warranted.
#3 Impacted Tooth
This is typically the case for wisdom teeth, or those last set of molars to emerge. Due to lack of jaw space, these teeth commonly get impacted or blocked from proper eruption. An extraction of the wisdom teeth can ensure these teeth don’t cause harm, as they are not teeth that offer significant functional benefit within the mouth.
#4 Overcrowding
The extraction of one or multiple teeth may be needed to eliminate overcrowding. This is especially common in patients who are preparing for orthodontic treatment.
#5 After Dental Trauma
Accidents happen. When there is significant trauma to the teeth during an accident or traumatic injury, restorative measures are always considered first – such as a crown, bonding or other dental preservation. However, some injuries are too severe and a tooth extraction may be recommended.
At Laguna West Dental, we proudly offer top quality dental care for all ages, which can include removing a permanent tooth in certain situations. You can trust that our extractions, when necessary, are performed with gentle, conservative techniques that promote patient comfort at every step. To learn more about tooth removal at our Elk Grove office, please call today.
Our dentists provide top-notch dental crown solutions that will protect the entire tooth from breaking again. We make sure that the crown matches the color of your existing teeth so you could flash your beautiful smile without worrying about the appearance of your teeth.