Damaged teeth are normally repaired with fillings, root canals, and dental crowns. However, in some cases, the damage is too severe and the tooth must be removed before it becomes infected. Tooth extraction is the process of removing a tooth from the bone socket. Kids loose teeth all the time, but as adults it’s a much bigger ordeal. Tooth extraction can be painful and inconvenient, but with a skilled, gloved hand the process is not as dreadful as you might expect.
Reasons for Extraction
Your dentists will work to do everything they can to preserve your natural smile. Tooth extraction is a last resort, reserved for severe cases. If your tooth is posing risk of infection, or causing any other problems, it is just best to have it removed. Here are a few situations that may lead to tooth extraction:
Tooth Decay
If fillings won’t do the trick, and the damage is too far gone for a root canal to solve, consider tooth extraction before you wind up dealing with the struggles of infection.
Loose Teeth
While it doesn’t happen naturally, adult teeth can get knocked loose. There are a few options for trying to save the tooth, but extraction might have to be the answer.
Overcrowding
The mouth can become overcrowded with teeth. Tooth extraction can be necessary to make room for teeth that are trying to come in, or to prepare for braces.
Stubborn Baby Teeth
Baby teeth don’t always fall out in a timely manner. Baby teeth can even last into adulthood and block the permanent teeth from surfacing. This can cause a great deal of pain. In most cases, the baby tooth will need to be extracted to make room.
Infected Tooth
Like any infection, a tooth infection can spread, and spread fast. The safest option is to remove the tooth and treat the infection quickly.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding, or become impacted in the jaw. Not only that, but these 3rd molars can cause a great deal of pain. It is common to have them removed when you are in your late teens or early twenties.
Types of Extraction:
Simple Extraction
Teeth that are visible and fully emerged from the gums can be removed in a quick dental visit. The tooth is loosened with a device called an elevator and removed with forceps (after being numbed, of course).
Surgical Extraction
This type of extraction is a bit more complex. It can still be done in a dentist office, but some choose to have an oral surgeon perform the procedure. This process requires an incision to be made in the gum line. If the tooth is impacted, extra steps are taken for safe removal. No matter how complex, the tooth is removed and you can get onto the recovery process.
At Eagle Rock Dental Care we do extractions and minor surgeries right here in our office. We offer conscious and sleep dentistry to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. If you have a tooth that is bothering you, don’t wait to get it looked at! Your comfort and safety are our number one priorities. Contact us or request your appointment online today!
