When Should A Tooth Be Extracted?

If a tooth becomes damaged or develops decay or infection, we often repair it using lifelike restorations, such as fillings or crowns, or possibly a root canal procedure. But what if you have wisdom teeth soon to erupt, or gum disease makes one or more teeth loose? In these scenarios, the best solution for the health of your smile may be an extraction. Let’s look at when we prescribe this option for our Gary, IN, patients.

Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes referred to as third molars, these are up to four additional rear teeth that erupt when a person reaches his or her late teens and early 20s. At one time, our smile could accommodate these teeth. But now, eruption could mean a painful impaction, toothaches, dental infection, damaged teeth, and misalignment. To avoid these issues, we often remove the teeth before they even erupt. Doing so helps preserve the appearance and health of your smile.

Severe Damage, Infection and More

If a tooth becomes severely broken, then repair may not be feasible, so removal may be the best choice. Likewise, a severe infection could mean extraction is needed to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth. Teeth loosened by gum disease may need to be removed, and for patients with severe misalignment, we may extract a tooth to make room to straighten the rest of the smile.

The Extraction Process

The process begins with steps to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. We will discuss sedation options, such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation. Patients enter a deep, relaxed stated with little to no memory of the procedure itself. We then administer a local anesthesia near the extraction site and remove the tooth. Gauze will be used to initially stem the bleeding and allow the area to clot. A friend or family member will bring you home and we will provide detailed instructions on caring for your smile in the hours and days to follow, such as avoiding straws, foods and drinks to steer clear of, and instructions for taking mediation to control discomfort as the sedation wears off. We will continue to monitor your progress in follow-up visits. If you have any questions about removing teeth or about issues that may mean extraction, such as wisdom tooth eruption, then please contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy your healthiest possible smile!

Do You Have Questions About Wisdom Teeth?

Often, preserving the health and beauty of your smile means removing a troublesome tooth. To schedule an appointment with your dentist, contact Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, by calling 219-938-2637, or by emailing our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com. We also proudly serve the residents of Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding communities.