There are a number of reasons why a patient may need a tooth extraction. Although your dentist should generally try to preserve your natural teeth, sometimes a tooth extraction might be healthier than the consequences of keeping a badly damaged tooth in your mouth.
Here are some reasons why a patient may need tooth extraction:
Trauma: a severely damaged or decayed tooth that can’t be repaired.
Overcrowding: an overcrowded mouth when teeth are too big and do not fit properly in your mouth.
Impacted tooth: A tooth that cannot grow over the gum line as it is supposed to.
Periodontal Disease: When periodontal or gum disease reaches a state in which it can not longer hold a tooth.
BENEFITS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS: Advantages Beyond Tooth Loss
Relieve Pain
When a tooth extraction is absolutely necessary to fix your oral conditions, pulling out an infected or decayed tooth might relive pain instantly.
Benefit Neighboring Teeth
Sometimes a patient may need to have a tooth removed in order to preserve the surrounding teeth, or to make room for the rest of the teeth to fit properly in the mouth.
Make Room
Sometimes making room for teeth to fit properly is essential. For implants, orthodontics or bridges, for example, a decayed tooth that cannot be saved may have to be extracted for the purpose of restoring your mouth’s health.
Remove a Dental Problem
In many cases, and if diagnosed accurately by your dentist, removing the damaged tooth might be the only way to do away with the dental problem that is affecting your mouth.
Functional Bite
Teeth that fit properly in a mouth can make you regain the functions of your bite.
Enhanced Smile
If a tooth needs to be extracted due to its damaged condition, this may bring along benefits for an enhanced smile. Teeth that fit properly can achieve an aesthetically balanced look.
A tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure. Therefore, it requires a couple of steps with your dentist and your oral surgeon.
STEP 1
Checking your oral conditions through an initial comprehensive exam is the first step. At this stage your doctor will take X-rays and check your mouth thoroughly to diagnose if the tooth extraction is the solution for your problem.
STEP 2
If a tooth extraction is needed, your next step will be to see the oral surgeon to proceed with the extraction.
STEP 3
You will be given local anesthesia since taking out a tooth can be painful without having your mouth numbed.
STEP 4
Once the tooth has been extracted, you will have a healing period (usually a couple of days) before your dentist can go on with any other treatment you may need, such as a bridge or an implant, for example.
STEP 5
The socket left in the area where the tooth was extracted will be cleaned and carefully washed so that no infection can develop in that area. In some cases, stitching up the tissues will be needed.
FAQs
TOOTH EXTRACTION FAQs
How do I Know if I Really Need a Tooth Extraction?
Will I Be Able to Eat after Having a Tooth Extracted?
Will my Insurance Cover the Cost of My Tooth Extraction?
Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
What Happens After my Tooth is Extracted?
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