Most dentists take a conservative approach to dental treatment, using fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy to repair and restore your smile. However, if your tooth has sustained severe damage due to trauma, illness, or decay and cannot be saved, you may need to have it removed.
Find out more about the tooth extraction procedure and why you might need an extraction.
What is a Tooth Extraction?
An extraction is a procedure in which a tooth is removed from its socket. Dentists and oral surgeons typically perform extractions while the patient is under local anesthesia.
There are two main types of extractions: simple extractions and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are the removal of fully erupted teeth. Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that are impacted or covered by the jawbone.
The procedure for a simple extraction is relatively straightforward. Your dentist numbs the area around the tooth and then uses a dental elevator to loosen it before removing it with forceps.
For a surgical extraction, you may require general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the extraction. Your dentist makes an incision in the gum tissue and then removes the tooth with forceps. They may need to section the tooth for easier removal or use a dental burr to uncover the tooth from the bone.
Why Would I Need a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is typically considered the last-resort treatment for most dental problems; however, extraction may be necessary for specific situations, such as:
Severe Tooth Decay
If your tooth is severely decayed, you may need to have it extracted. This is usually only necessary if the decay has reached the pulp. If the pulp is affected by decay, the blood supply and nerves can deteriorate, preventing the proper functioning of the tooth and putting you at risk of severe infection like an abscess or sepsis.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that can lead to severe consequences like heart disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. Periodontitis can quickly spread to nearby teeth, making extraction of the affected tooth necessary if other treatment options fail.
Impacted Tooth
An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to emerge from the gum. This most commonly occurs in wisdom teeth, the third molars that come in later than other permanent teeth. Since wisdom teeth are not necessary for the mouth’s proper function, they are often removed if impacted to avoid unnecessary discomfort.
Overcrowded Teeth
If your teeth are severely overcrowded and conventional orthodontic methods are unsuitable for straightening your teeth, your dentist may recommend a targeted extraction to create proper spacing for your teeth. This may be followed by a retainer or other orthodontic treatment.
Severely Broken Teeth
Teeth broken at or below the gum line or a break that causes severe trauma to the pulp chamber may not be able to be saved. If this is the case, your dentist may recommend extraction for the affected tooth. This can save you from severe pain and eliminate the possibility of infection.
Comfortable Tooth Extraction at TruBlu Dentistry
If you think you may be a candidate for tooth extraction, schedule an appointment with TruBlu Dentistry today by calling (708) 424-5650 for an oral assessment.