There are several reasons why it isn’t a good idea to just extract a tooth that’s giving you trouble. Just because the tooth is fractured, broken, or afflicted with tooth decay doesn’t mean that it should just be removed and replaced with a man-made restoration. However, there are times when extraction is the best way to resolve an issue with your natural tooth structure, and when it is, it’s important not to hesitate. Today, we examine a few issues that tooth extraction could resolve, and why the tooth could become a liability for your oral health if it remains.
A severely damaged tooth’s inability to function
Tooth damage is a common reason for needing restorative dental treatment, and typically, the right restoration can help you repair and preserve your natural tooth structure. For example, if your tooth is fractured or broken, then placing a dental crown over it can often help restore the tooth and reestablish its ability to function in your bite. However, severe tooth damage can make it impossible for the tooth to function properly, and if the damage is severe enough, then even a dental crown might not be enough to reestablish it.
An extremely infected tooth’s threat to your oral health
Tooth infection, or tooth decay, is a common concern for many people. Yet, it’s rarely behind the need to extract a tooth. In fact, most people successfully treat their tooth decay and the cavities that result from it with conservative tooth fillings, or with root canal therapy, in more severe cases. Despite this, there are rare cases when tooth decay can become so invasive that there no longer remains enough tooth structure to save. Removing the infection from your dental ridge by extracting the remaining tooth structure could be the most effective way of stemming the threat that it could pose the rest of your oral health.
An impacted tooth’s affect on the rest of your teeth
Tooth impaction isn’t as common as many other oral health concerns. Typically, patients who experience it owe the problem to their third molars, or wisdom teeth, having little room to grow properly. When it’s allowed to remain impacted, the third molar will continue forcing its way against whatever tooth structure and/or bone structure impedes it. This can have several negative impacts on your other teeth and the rest of your oral health, including causing severe levels of discomfort. Extracting an impacted wisdom tooth is the only way to resolve the problems that it’s causing and prevent it from leading to even more severe problems.
Learn if tooth extraction can resolve your problem
Tooth extraction is only recommended when it isn’t possible to restore a healthy, natural tooth. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).
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