How to Know If You Need Dental Extractions

Dental extractions, also known as tooth extractions, are performed when teeth that are causing pain or infection need to be removed from the bone and socket. Many people need dental extractions without even knowing how serious the condition of their teeth is. If you are unsure how to know if you need dental extractions, we have provided you with this brief guide. A visit to the dentist will also be beneficial in handling your predicament.

Types of Dental Extractions

Impacted Teeth

The most common type of dental extraction is wisdom tooth removal or the removal of a tooth that has been impacted. An impacted tooth stops it from growing in correctly and causes many problems with surrounding gum tissues, teeth, and nerves. To avoid discomfort, tooth crowding, tooth abscess, and even more problems, dental extractions are performed.

Crowded Teeth

In some cases, teeth cannot grow into proper alignment when a person's jawbone is not big enough or teeth are positioned incorrectly to begin with. In this instance, a dental extraction will take place to remove a virtually unnecessary tooth in order to create a more comfortable environment for other teeth. It will also help teeth come into a straighter alignment, so braces are less necessary. Crowded teeth often make cleaning harder and result in more cavities, so in this situation, a dental extraction helps in many ways.

Infected or Damaged Teeth

Infected or damaged teeth may need to be removed if they cannot be saved and are putting nearby teeth at risk. In most cases, if a tooth is damaged during a sports injury – for example, if it becomes fractured or chipped – it can be repaired. People sometimes wait too long to have a repair made and end up putting their tooth at risk for an infection. When an infection takes over, a tooth can sometimes be saved by root canal treatment, but often the only option is to remove it before discomfort persists and the infection spreads.

How a Dentist Can Tell If You Need Dental Extractions

When you receive regular dental care, your dentist will know if you need dental extractions. At a certain age, you will most likely be referred to an oral surgeon or similar specialist for an evaluation of whether or not you need your wisdom teeth removed. A dentist will also take x-rays that will give them a look at how your teeth are growing in and if any problems under the gum line exist.

What Happens If I Need Dental Extractions

If it is suggested that you should have a tooth removed, don't wait. If you do, healthy teeth can sustain damage or infection completely unnecessarily. Visit our office if you need dental extractions, and we will provide you with a comfortable, pain-free procedure to remove the problematic tooth or teeth.

Dental extractions are unfortunately necessary at some point in the lives of most people. If you have a tooth removed, you can replace it with a quality restoration unless it is a wisdom tooth, which does not need to be replaced. We can provide you with more information about replacing your teeth after dental extractions when you visit for an appointment.