When Is a Dental Extraction Necessary?

While dentists aim to preserve your original teeth, there are times when extraction might be the best course of action. A dental extraction, which involves the removal of a tooth or more, may be required in order to protect your oral health from infection, crowding, and other circumstances. It is best to consult with a dental professional to understand your individual needs, but in the meantime, here are some signs that indicate that your teeth could require extraction.

Teeth Crowding

In common instances, one’s jaw might not have enough space to accommodate all the teeth. This can lead to overcrowding and prevent other natural teeth from emerging properly. It’s often the case with a partially erupted wisdom tooth. When there is crowding, the wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow and only part of the tooth will emerge. This can make the tooth susceptible to gum disease and harmful infections like cavities. It can also impact your bite. In such cases, a dentist may recommend tooth extraction and possibly orthodontic treatment to fix the crowding and alignment issues.

Infection

When a tooth is suffering from deep-rooted decay, an extraction might be the best treatment. In many instances, decay that reaches the nerves of a tooth can be saved through root canal therapy. But in more severe cases, pulling the tooth out may be a necessary procedure in order to prevent the infection from spreading to neighboring teeth. Furthermore, the extraction is particularly key to those who have a compromised immune system since severe infections can travel to other organs in the body.

Gum Disease

In the advanced stages of gum disease, not only are your gums affected, but also your jawbone. The infection can lead to a high risk of bone loss, which can make it a problem for your teeth to be properly anchored in place. When this occurs, it’s often recommended to remove the teeth, treat the areas of infection, place in dentures or surgically drill in dental implants in replace of your natural teeth.

Teeth extraction can often be a life-saving procedure. If you have any dental concerns, we’re happy to offer consultations at Wedington Family Dental!

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