No one likes the idea of getting a tooth pulled. After all, your teeth play an important role in both your appearance and oral function! That is why your dentist will explore all potential treatment options for a damaged tooth before they recommend an extraction. However, there are some valid reasons why you may need to get a tooth removed. What are some of those reasons? This blog post explains.
Severe Damage or Decay
When a tooth sustains severe damage, repairing it might be impossible. This could happen due to an accident, trauma, or an untreated cavity that has progressed extensively. If a tooth reaches a point where a filling, crown, or root canal therapy cannot restore it, extraction may be the only option. Timely removal of the tooth can spare you from pain and help you get back on the road to sound oral health.
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious condition that affects the tissues holding your teeth in place. In its advanced stages, gum disease can cause teeth to become loose due to bone deterioration. At that point, extracting the affected teeth may be the best way to support your oral health and make it easier for your dental team to treat your gum disease.
Overcrowding
Sometimes, the human mouth does not have enough space for all of its teeth. Overcrowding can lead to alignment issues, bite problems, and difficulty maintaining proper oral hygiene. Dentists may suggest extracting one or more teeth to create the necessary space for orthodontic treatment. This approach can help achieve a healthier and more attractive smile by allowing your remaining teeth to move into a better position.
Impaction
An impacted tooth is one that is unable to erupt properly through the gumline. Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to become impacted, but other teeth can also face this issue. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling, or even infection if left untreated. Your dentist may advise extraction to alleviate discomfort and prevent potential complications such as crowding or damage to neighboring teeth.
Delayed Movement of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth, or primary teeth, play an important role in guiding the proper eruption of permanent teeth. However, sometimes a baby tooth does not fall out on schedule, causing delayed or misaligned eruption of the underlying adult tooth. In these cases, your dentist might recommend extraction to ensure that the permanent tooth erupts correctly and to avoid orthodontic issues later on.
Your dentist does not want to remove your teeth, but they do want you to enjoy good oral health. That means you might end up needing one or more extractions. You can view this procedure as a stepping stone toward a better smile.
Meet the Practice
At Anderson Family Dental in Colorado Springs, our three highly skilled dentists offer a broad range of services, including careful tooth extractions. We also provide state-of-the-art tooth replacement. If you have a tooth that is bothering you, we would be happy to check it out and advise you on your next steps. Contact our office at 719-521-4945.