If a dentist has recommended tooth extraction, you should feel confident about the diagnosis. If you don’t, it is absolutely okay to seek a second opinion before agreeing to treatment. At Metro Dental Care in Denver, CO, Dr. Kaluzshner and our team of clinical experts diagnose and perform tooth extractions. We are also happy to offer second opinions.
In today’s blog, we’ll provide reasons for extractions, as well as explanations of why extraction is the best option in these cases. By the end of this article, you should have a solid understanding of why and when tooth extraction is necessary. You may also need to know about options for replacing extracted teeth, and Metro Dental Care has you covered!
Reasons for Tooth Extraction:
- Severe tooth infection
- Dead tooth
- A broken tooth that is irreparable
- Impacted teeth that have failed to erupt and are causing problems
- Partially or fully impacted wisdom teeth
- A primary tooth prevents permanent teeth from erupting
- To improve spacing for orthodontic treatment
- In preparation for dentures
Severe Tooth Infection
When bacterial infection causes a cavity and you don’t seek treatment (a filling or crown), the tooth will not heal naturally, as skin will. Therefore, the bacteria that caused the cavity will continue to eat away at your tooth until they penetrate the core. At the heart of every tooth, a sealed chamber, or core, holds the tooth’s nerve, connective tissues, and blood supply. When this chamber is infiltrated by bacteria, the structures are compromised and the tooth becomes irreparably infected.
Without root canal therapy, the infection can spread to your jawbone to wreak havoc on your oral and overall health. If the dentist sees an internal tooth infection, he may recommend root canal therapy or extraction. There are no other options, and if the infection is too great, root canal therapy is pointless. The tooth is dying or has already died.
Dead Tooth
The internally infected tooth may die if the blood supply is damaged. Then, extraction is the only option to restore good oral health.
Also, a tooth that becomes injured by a blow to face or a fall may loosen. Sometimes, the tooth’s health is restored when it re-solidifies in the jawbone. Other times, the tooth’s nerve is permanently damaged and the tooth dies. A dead tooth requires extraction. It cannot be rejuvenated.
Broken Tooth That Is Irreparable
When a tooth breaks near the root, a crown isn’t possible. The tooth’s core is exposed and only tooth extraction will restore oral health.
Impacted Teeth
Teeth that are impacted don’t erupt. They remain within the jaw, often pushing against a neighboring tooth, causing pain and in some cases, harming the neighboring tooth. Impacted teeth should be removed to eliminate pain and potential damage to other teeth.
Wisdom Teeth
Around a person’s late teens or early twenties, wisdom teeth that cause pain or have multiple cavities should be removed. Wisdom tooth extraction can also eliminate pain in wisdom teeth that tend to ache.
It’s not always necessary to remove wisdom teeth unless they’re impacted. Some people without impaction opt for wisdom tooth extraction to avoid potential future issues. This is a wise choice because once a person is past his early twenties, the procedure becomes more complex and the risks increase.
Note: Wisdom teeth do not have to be replaced!
Primary Tooth Preventing Permanent Teeth from Erupting
In kids, a troublesome primary (baby) tooth may hang on for dear life! This causes issues for the tooth below, the permanent tooth trying to erupt. In some cases, we perform tooth extraction for problematic primary teeth to ensure that the permanent tooth erupts and has plenty of room to grow and thrive.
To Improve Spacing for Orthodontic Treatment
Crowding is often an issue for people seeking orthodontic treatment by way of Invisalign or traditional braces. If you or your child have crowded teeth, we or your orthodontist may suggest the removal of one or more teeth so that your goal of straight teeth and a gorgeous smile can be achieved.
In Preparation for Dentures
One cannot wear dentures if natural teeth remain. So, if you’re transitioning to dentures for the first time, the dentist will extract your remaining natural teeth.
Call Metro Dental Care for Tooth Extraction Today!
For a second opinion, initial diagnosis, or to discuss tooth replacement options like dentures and dental implants, you can rely on the dentists at Metro Dental Center in Denver, CO. Our dentists are experienced with tooth extraction and replacement, and we implement the latest methods for patient comfort. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today. Call 303-534-2626.
