Tooth extraction is only done as a last resort in dentistry today. The goal is to keep as many of your natural teeth, and as much of your natural tooth structure when a tooth is damaged, as possible. However, sometimes it is simply necessary. If the tooth is threatening your overall oral health and/or your remaining teeth, an extraction may be in order.
Reasons For Extracting A Tooth
While the most common reason for tooth extraction is to remove wisdom teeth, there are other reasons as well, including:
- When a tooth is broken or fractured below the gum line
- A severely decayed tooth
- When the patient is suffering with advanced periodontal disease
- An already lose or displaced tooth
- To make room for orthodontic treatment
- Overcrowding
- To prepare for denture treatment
Wisdom Teeth
Because wisdom teeth can present so many problems they are often extracted before they even erupt. In many cases wisdom teeth:
- Become impacted, meaning one or more are stuck in your jaw
- Become infected
- Become decayed
- Force other teeth out of alignment
- Crowd your other teeth
- Become painful
As A Last Resort
As stated before, your dentist can use a variety of treatments to restore a cracked, fractured, broken, infected, or otherwise compromised tooth. Such treatments include a root canal, dental crown, dental filling, composite bonding, and more. Your dentist will be as conservative as possible with treatment. However, if he or she feels that the tooth is a threat to your oral or overall health, your underlying jawbone, or your other teeth, their treatment of choice may be extraction.