Ever since we were kids, nothing sent shivers down our spine like the thought of having a tooth extracted. For kids replacing their first set of teeth or “baby teeth,” tooth extraction is fairly simple and quick. In fact, most first teeth come loose to the point where they can be removed by pulling at them with our hands. However, tooth extraction for adults is considered a type of oral surgery. Your dentist always strives to preserve your natural teeth, but tooth extraction may be necessary for a number of reasons.
Today, at My Dentist at Morgan Creek, tooth extraction is handled using the latest in dental technology and with the use of dental anesthesia. This means that you will experience minimal to no discomfort and complications during and after your tooth extraction.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
A dentist will resort to tooth extraction when your tooth is so severely decayed or damaged that if it remains in your mouth, it could cause an infection or even affect your general health. Additionally, if you don’t have enough room for wisdom teeth to grow, as they are erupting, they can grow sideways, shifting or even damaging existing teeth. Impacted teeth can also cause a number of dental issues, including jaw pain and gum disease. We’d like to discuss some of the most common reasons why your South Surrey dentist would recommend a tooth extraction.
Cavities and Tooth Decay
One of the most common reasons for tooth extraction is cavities which lead to severe tooth decay if ignored long enough. Although 96% of Canadians have cavities, you can prevent them with proper dental care. However, if your cavity is left untreated, harmful bacteria can penetrate the interior of your tooth. If this happens, then your dentin can be damaged and the tooth’s pulp/roots can get infected. As a result, you will either need root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction due to extensive infection and destruction of the root, and to protect your healthy teeth from being infected.
Periodontal or Gum Disease
Gum disease is another common reason for tooth extraction. It is an infection of the periodontal tissues that provide support for the teeth. These tissues include the gums, periodontal ligaments and the jawbone. Also called periodontal disease, this condition begins with bacteria-ridden plaque irritating the gum tissues. If this plaque is not removed with thorough brushing and flossing, it will turn into a hard substance called tartar. The tartar can progress to your gum line, where it can harm the bones, gum tissue, and ligaments that support your teeth. If these structures are damaged, then you may experience tooth loss.
Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is prevented from fully erupting from the gums. This often occurs with wisdom teeth because the space in our mouth is limited. Unless the impacted wisdom teeth are extracted, they can damage other teeth as they begin to erupt.
Ιmpacted teeth that emerge, may grow on an angle that can be difficult to clean properly and, as a result, they are more vulnerable to tooth decay. To avoid issues like swelling, pain and infections, impacted teeth should be extracted.
Overcrowded or Overlapping Teeth
For some individuals, there may not be enough space on the jaw for teeth to grow properly. Consequently, if you have this issue, you can experience poor dental hygiene since it is more difficult to properly care for your teeth. Likewise, if the overcrowding is severe, you can suffer from gum inflammation, gum disease, and occlusion problems.
It may be recommended that you extract certain teeth to allow the remaining teeth to fit straight along your gum line. This can also help your orthodontist align your teeth to fit together normally so you can achieve the best possible results with orthodontic treatment.
Tooth Damage due to Injury or Accident
If you have an accident or injury which causes severe tooth damage, it may be necessary to extract the damaged tooth. Your dentist will determine if there is a possibility to save the damage tooth by repairing with a dental crown. However, if the part of your remaining tooth does is not enough to support a crown, then it may have to be extracted. In such situations, you can restore your smile with a dental implant that will feel just like your natural tooth.
Book Your Tooth Extraction at My Dentist at Morgan Creek
For over 25 years, My Dentist at Morgan Creek in South Surrey / White Rock is among the popular dental offices that offer tooth extraction with sedation-assisted dentistry for a comfortable and pain-free experience. Our dentists are known by their patients, to be considerate and skillful in their routine dental practice. The tooth extraction services offered are more precise, efficient, and safe; with due diligence in socket preservation and atraumatic dental extractions.
Book your consultation online or call us at 604-542-0123 to find out more about the reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary and what your options are.
