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When is Extraction Necessary?

Jan 22 • 2 minute read

Your dentist would like to preserve as many of your natural teeth as possible often with the help of corrective or restorative dentistry. However, there are instances when a dental condition prevents the chances of preserving a damaged tooth successfully.

Although having a tooth extraction may seem like an unpleasant alternative, in some cases it may be the best choice for you.

Impaction or Overcrowding

Impacted teeth are those that have grown or shifted in the wrong position, which renders them useless. Most often this is seen in wisdom teeth, but it can happen to other teeth too. If the teeth are too large to comfortably fit within the mouth, this is considered overcrowding. Overcrowded teeth can prevent other teeth from erupting properly, so your dentist will remove them to give the remaining teeth more space. It is common for a dentist to remove some teeth before fitting braces to make sure there is enough room for the targeted teeth to move into place.

Extensive Tooth Decay Leading to Infection

When tooth decay has covered so much of the tooth structure that it reaches the pulp (the tissue inside of your tooth), an extraction might be the only option left. Especially if the option of a root canal has been ruled out and the patient has already taken antibiotics, but the infection remains.

Severely Damaged or Broken Tooth

If a tooth is damaged due to trauma or an accident and cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown, an extraction may be your only recourse. A fractured tooth can often extend below the gum line making it difficult to restore the tooth. Often, after a traumatic injury, even a microscopic fracture in the root portion of the tooth can be impossible to repair. The ligaments and bone that surround the tooth root will be unable to adapt and heal in the area of the fracture.

Restoring Your Smile After a Tooth Extraction

The good news is that if you must have a tooth extraction done, you can replace the missing tooth. It is often recommended that you do the replacement as quickly as possible to avoid complications.

A missing tooth can cause the neighboring teeth to shift from their original positions to fill in the space. Shifting can affect your bite and result in further damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw.

The space from a missing tooth can also cause your jawbone to deteriorate in that location. For this reason, dental implants are the recommended method of tooth replacement.

When you need a tooth extraction, Millennium Family Dental can offer a full range of options for restoration. Contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.

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Phone: (815) 577-9000