Patients are generally reluctant to have a tooth removed, and dentists typically treat extraction as a last resort. While the overall goal of dentistry is to preserve the health of teeth and other parts of the mouth, sometimes one tooth must be removed to protect the health of the rest. Here are some reasons your dentist might recommend tooth extraction and the benefits of going through the process.
A Tooth is Beyond Repair Due to Decay or Injury
Tooth decay starts when the bacteria that live in a mouth begin eating their way through the enamel layer, resulting in an infection called a cavity. A cavity will not get better without professional intervention, and if left untreated it will only progress deeper into the tooth. If the infection is allowed to progress into the pulp at the center of the tooth, it will probably result in the severe, throbbing pain of a toothache.
To make matters worse, an infection in the pulp of a tooth can spread through the circulatory system to other parts of the body. This can cause secondary infections such as sepsis. The pulp can become similarly infected if it is exposed after the tooth is fractured due to blunt force trauma. While tooth decay can usually be treated with a root canal, severe decay may require extraction.
A Tooth Must Be Removed to Treat Gum Disease
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, inflammation of the gums that causes bleeding, swelling, and an angry red color. If left untreated, gingivitis will become periodontitis which eats away at gum tissue and the jawbone. In these cases, a tooth may be doomed even if it appears healthy, and removal may be necessary to allow the dentist to treat the gums and prevent the tooth’s painful decay.
The Mouth Does Not Have Room
Wisdom teeth are commonly extracted in a person’s late teens or early twenties because there usually isn’t enough room for them. If they are allowed to come in, the pressure can cause chronic dental pain or even push other teeth out of alignment. If there is not enough room for the tooth to come in properly, it can become impacted, meaning that all or part of it remains buried within the gums, making it vulnerable to infection. Removing these teeth is often the safest way to preserve the patient’s oral health.
Your dentist will not recommend tooth extraction without good reason. Having a troubled tooth removed can relieve pain, prevent infection, and preserve the alignment of the whole smile. While the idea might not be pleasant, an extraction can pave the way to a future of better dental health.
About the Practice
Nob Hill Oral & Facial Surgery of Albuquerque has faithfully served the needs of its community since 1988. Led by Albuquerque natives Drs. Timothy Gutierrez and Ryan T. Sterk, the staff is dedicated to providing friends, neighbors, and patients with the excellent care they deserve. Areas of expertise include dental implants, tooth extractions, and other oral surgerical services. To learn more about the benefits of tooth extraction, contact the office online or dial (505) 881-7373.