Talk to Your Dentist About a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is the process of removing a natural tooth if it has decayed to the point where it cannot be saved or if there is not enough room in the mouth for a tooth to erupt. Dentists do not usually recommend extracting natural teeth, but it is necessary when it comes to saving the rest of the teeth or if the pain caused by a tooth is too much for one to bear.

Why you should talk to your dentist about getting a tooth extraction?

There are several reasons to consider getting a tooth extraction, some of which include:

Wisdom tooth eruption

The eruption of a wisdom tooth can cause a lot of pain, especially when there is not enough room in the mouth for the tooth to erupt properly. In some cases, the tooth can partially erupt and create pockets for bacteria to accumulate, which can lead to an infection. When this occurs, the best course of action is to have the wisdom tooth extracted.

Bite problems

Sometimes, the size of a tooth or having too many teeth in the mouth can prevent one’s teeth from aligning properly, which affects the bite. The problem can also cause wear on other teeth, and can eventually damage them, causing more problems for the patient. Having the offending tooth extracted can fix the alignment problem and prevent wear on the other teeth.

When there is an infection

When tooth decay is left untreated, it can get into the pulp of the tooth, which is the part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When this happens, the bacteria in the mouth can get into the pulp, leading to infection. In most cases, tooth decay that gets to the pulp is treated with a root canal. But, if the decay is too severe and the tooth cannot be salvaged, the dentist will recommend extracting it to prevent the infection from spreading.

Severe gum disease

When a patient is suffering from severe gum disease, the condition can lead to a loosening of the teeth. Even if the gum disease is treated, the loose teeth will have to be extracted to prevent the decay and infection from spreading.

How is the tooth extracted?

Tooth extraction is usually done in two ways — a simple extraction or a surgical extraction.

Simple extraction

This is performed on teeth that are visible from the gum line. The procedure is done using an anesthetic to numb the area around the extraction before the dentist loosens the tooth using a device known as an elevator. The tooth is then pulled from the socket using forceps.

Surgical extraction

This is done when the tooth that is to be extracted has not erupted above the gum line. The area around the extraction is numbed using an anesthetic before the dentist makes an incision into the gums to remove the tooth. In most cases, the dentist will likely give the patient a general anesthetic to prevent them from feeling pain during the procedure and to keep them unconscious during the extraction.

Conclusion

Tooth extraction is something that has to be done when a tooth is severely damaged or does not have enough room to erupt in the mouth. If you think you need to have a tooth extracted, schedule an appointment with a dentist to get checked out.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drelloway.com or call Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc at (530) 527-6777 for an appointment in our Red Bluff office.

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