What You Didn’t Know About Tooth Extraction

While tooth extraction isn’t the most popular form of dental procedure, it is more common than most people may realize. While taking care of your teeth is important to avoid tooth loss, some complications may arise that require treatment that surpasses restoration. For instance, if a tooth has experienced severe decay, it is no longer able to support itself, nor perform simple daily tasks and will require extraction. This typically occurs as a last resort and a tooth is damaged to the point where restoration will no longer be adequate. No matter the severity of damage or decay, it is important to assess the damages to determine a suitable treatment option, or if extraction will be necessary.

Why Are Teeth Extracted?

Tooth extraction can occur when a tooth suffers severe decay, and a restorative procedure will no longer suffice. This is generally when a tooth becomes damaged or diseased beyond the point of repair, causing a need for the tooth to be extracted. Other cases in which teeth may be extracted include:

• If the root of a tooth has become fractured
• Severe tooth decay has occurred, weakening the structural integrity of affected teeth
• If a wisdom tooth has partially erupted through the gums, or has become impacted
• Gum disease has damaged and destroyed the supportive tissues surrounding teeth

Why You Should Replace Extracted Teeth

While losing a tooth during childhood wasn’t necessarily a threat to your dental health as a permanent tooth would grow into place, losing a tooth during adulthood can have serious consequences for your dental health. This is due to the fact that no other teeth will naturally fill the void of a missing tooth, and can lead to further dental complications. If up to three teeth are missing in a consecutive order, then a dental bridge may be placed; however, if multiple teeth become missing, then a more, in-depth procedure may be required in order to replace the missing teeth, along with repairing your smile back to its original entirety.

ABOUT YOUR GARY, IN DENTIST:

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.