Tooth extraction isn’t something to take lightly, and at Asheville Dental, we know that recommending it can be a shock to anyone. If we advise the procedure, we take time to educate the necessity thoroughly to our patients. Ultimately, the decision is up to them, as are any recommendations we make. But after we explain our suggestion, we expect you’ll understand why.
Common reasons dentists recommend tooth extractions are overcrowding, severe tooth decay, mouth trauma, and wisdom teeth. In some cases, this is a dental office procedure, but we may refer you to an oral surgeon if the work is extensive. Whatever the situation, we always have your best health in mind.
Four Reasons When Tooth Extraction Is Necessary
Overcrowding
When teeth are too close together, straight teeth become crooked. Sometimes this anomaly affects people’s speech by making it difficult to move the tongue freely. Extracting the problematic teeth can open up available space for the rest of the teeth to spread out, allowing teeth to straighten, eliminating the need for braces.
Decay
Tartar and plaque eat away at the enamel of the teeth, making them weak and brittle. If the condition becomes severe, an infection can develop, causing intense pain, swelling, and redness. To avoid serious health complications, it may be necessary to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental bridge.
Mouth Trauma
Accidents happen. And they can often occur to the teeth, whether the result of a car accident or friendly elbow to the face. Seriously damaged teeth, though, must be pulled to avoid serious health complications.
Wisdom Teeth
Once, pulling wisdom teeth was a rite of passage. Now, if they appear to come in without issue, extraction is avoidable. However, wisdom teeth require extraction when they are impacted or partially erupted to avoid infection.
Before the appointment, your dentists will discuss the entire procedure with you so that you’ll know what to expect during the tooth extraction and after. If you have anxiety, talk about it. Together, you may want to explore sedation dentistry as an option.
More questions about tooth extraction? Contact us at Asheville Dental. We are always here to help and provide you with answers.
