It’s never enjoyable to hear the news from the dentist or oral surgeon that a tooth needs to be extracted. It is often followed by anxiety and a sense of dread about how your smile will be affected. While conservative methods are generally attempted first before dental extractions to help save a tooth, when the tooth is severely infected or too damaged – the best thing for your oral health is to remove the unhealthy tooth. If a diseased tooth remains, it can lead to worsening side effects, gum disease, and other systemic issues.
Dr. Chris Tye performs Southlake dental extractions for patients living in the Colleyville, Grapevine, and surrounding areas. If you are in need of a highly trained Southlake oral surgeon, please contact our practice today online or give us a call at 817.552.3223. Discussed below are five reasons for dental extractions.
Severe Tooth Decay or Gum Disease
Tooth decay is a normal occurrence for many patients. In fact, most people over the age of 30 have been diagnosed with at least one cavity in their lifetime. When caught in it’s earliest stages, a cavity can typically be repaired with a dental filling or dental crown. However, if the infection penetrates the underlying layers of the tooth and infects the inner structure of a tooth, the roots will become irreversibly damaged. While root canal therapy may be able to help, if the tooth develops an abscess – in most cases a dental extraction will be required. Because your oral and physical health are interconnected – if an oral infection spreads, it can exacerbate heart disease, resulting in high blood pressure and stroke. Although it may sound extreme it, dental extractions can help save lives.
Failed Root Canal Therapy
When the pulp chamber, the inner structure of a tooth, is damaged as a result of a trauma or decay, a root canal procedure can be performed to help save the tooth. However, if an inexperienced dentist administers the root canal treatment, or the tooth is too damaged during the process, it can result in a failed root canal procedure and increased pain. When this occurs, a dental extraction is typically necessary.
Dental Overcrowding
Your baby teeth serve as anchors for your permanent teeth to help guide them into proper position. If baby teeth are lost too soon or they are damaged, it can cause your permanent teeth to come in crooked. Others factors, such as a small mouth can also cause teeth to overlap. If your baby teeth have failed to fall out on their own, or you don’t have enough space in your mouth for your permanent teeth – dental extractions may be recommended. While orthodontics can help with repositioning teeth, occasionally dental extractions must be performed in advance to ensure a successful outcome.
Preliminary Treatment for Dentures
Tooth loss is a natural part of the aging process for many senior adults. If you are missing most of your teeth and are considering dentures, dental extractions can be performed to remove any remaining teeth to make adequate room for your customized denture. Dr. Tye can also insert dental implants to provide a solid base for your implant-supported restoration.
