Dental professionals don’t like to perform removed unless it is absolutely necessary. They usually perform any possible treatment to the underlying issue first such as performing root canals, removing cavities, or any other treatment that won’t result in extraction. Only when the condition is worse will they recommend tooth extraction.

A tooth may need to be extracted for the following situations:

  • The pulp has an infection.
  • It has been damaged beyond repair.
  • The mouth has too many teeth like, for instance, when the wisdom teeth have erupted.
  • There is an advanced form of periodontal disease, and decay is present.

The most important step you can do to avoid extractions is to brush your teeth regularly and visit your dental professional at least twice a year.

Before Dental Professionals Turn to Extractions

Tooth decay occurs for various reasons and the most common reason is that you are not taking good care of your teeth. Other reasons include having a weak tooth enamel which makes it easy for you to get tooth decay. Regardless of the cause, it is important to correct the decay before it gets worse to the point where extraction is mandatory.

During dental exams, your dental specialist will use x-ray and probing tools to check for any signs of cavities. A more state-of-the-art tool called laser cavity detection makes it easy to detect the cavities and be able to view what is inside it. By using a laser detection machine, the light waves will reflect light from the tooth. If the tooth is healthy, the light will get absorbed. If the tooth has a cavity, the light will get reflected. If there is cavity, it will need to be treated before it gets worse.

When there is plaque, the bacteria forms into an acidic substance. The acid will seep through the enamel of the teeth causing the erosion of it. It will fully erode the enamel until it gets to the inner pulp. That is why it is important to brush your teeth and floss it regularly.

In a severe case of tooth decay, dental experts will try to treat it via root canal treatment. This usually occurs when the decay has already entered the pulp that contains the blood clots, nerve endings, and where all the tooth’s nourishment comes from. A root canal treatment will treat a tooth that is causing severe pain, abscess, swelling, inflammation and bone loss. It can also be used to treat infections around the gums. Root canal treatment is a lengthy procedure as dental professionals will do whatever is necessary to avoid extraction.

Why Extractions are Necessary

When the condition is too severe, your dental professional will have no other choice but to extract it. Tooth extraction at affordable cost is needed when the teeth is severely damaged that any attempts to repair it will only make it worse or when it can cause damage to the neighboring teeth and gums. Expect that the professional who will extract your tooth will be skilled and highly trained to treat it before they resort to extraction. Remember that tooth extraction is only used as a last resort and it is only necessary when you experience the following:

The tooth has severe damage to it that it can no longer be repaired. Your dental professional will remove and replace the tooth if there is too much decay to support your normal chewing activities. They will then put a replacement, artificial tooth to bring back the natural functions of your teeth.

The mouth is crowded. Sometimes when wisdom teeth erupt, it can crowd the teeth. This is one of the many reasons why wisdom teeth will need to be extracted because it can damage the surrounding tooth structures and gums. Overcrowding can also cause misalignment of the teeth.

Misaligned Smile. When the teeth are misaligned it can break or crack easier because of the pressure of the gums and jaw. It can also cause bruxism – an involuntary grinding of the teeth.

Fractured Tooth. Fractures can often be fixed with dental filling and crowns. Extraction will only be needed if the fracture is beyond repair.

Periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the gums to loosen and recede, leading to loss in most cases.

Infection that has reached the pulp. If the infection due to decay has reached the marrow, it can cause extreme pain. It is possible to fix it with a root canal treatment, but if the tooth is unresponsive to antibiotic treatment and root canal therapy, an extraction is required.

If you are experiencing tooth pain or other symptoms, it is essential to contact your dental professional right away.

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