Why Your Dentist Might Recommend Tooth Extraction

When most people think about visiting the dentist, they expect to have their teeth cleaned and treated—not extracted! However, your dentist might inform you that they need to pull one of your pearly whites to prevent it from impacting your oral health. But you have absolutely nothing to worry about, as tooth extractions are quite common and useful in the world of modern dentistry. Here’s what your dentist wants you to know about tooth extractions and why they’re sometimes a necessary step in helping you achieve a healthy and problem-free smile.

A Closer Look at the Tooth Extraction Process

Tooth extractions can be categorized into two main types: simple and surgical. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible above the gumline, and they involve your dentist using a special pair of forceps to grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth until it loosens from the jawbone and ligaments holding it in place. Needless to say, you’ll be properly numbed before they get started!

Surgical extractions are a little more complicated since they’re intended to remove teeth that are still below the gumline. These involve your dentist or oral surgeon making a small incision into the gum tissue in order to remove the tooth, sometimes in multiple pieces in order to simplify things.

Following either type of extraction, patients must ensure that the now-empty sockets are kept clean to prevent infection or complications with the healing process. Your dentist will provide detailed instructions for this, and in the end, you might be walking away with fewer teeth, but you’ll experience fewer oral health problems as a result!

5 Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction isn’t something that’s recommended lightly, and it’s often used to address the following issues when other treatment options don’t suffice:

• Impaction, which occurs when the growth of one tooth pushes directly against another. This usually happens with wisdom teeth.
• Tooth decay can eat away at the enamel of teeth, making them weakened to the point of needing removal.
• Periodontal disease, similar to tooth decay, can destroy the tissue surrounding teeth and compromise their health.
• Physical trauma that damages teeth can sometimes be so severe that it necessitates removal.
• Overcrowding can cause otherwise straight smiles to become crooked, and sometimes problematic teeth must be removed if they can’t be realigned as desired.

It’s also worth mentioning that when teeth are removed, they generally need to be replaced to prevent other oral issues from developing;  for this reason, your dentist may advise replacement options.

You should also know that tooth extraction is generally considered a last resort for addressing certain issues that other treatments cannot resolve, and your dentist will ensure that you’re adequately informed and prepared for the process before clearing you for it. That said, even though you’ll be parting with one or more of your pearly whites, you can rest assured that it’s ultimately for the benefit of your smile!

About the Author

Dr. Hamid Mirsepasi received his DDS from the Rutgers University Dental School and is a proud member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the American College of Prosthodontists. His practice in Richardson, TX is thrilled to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services as well as tooth extractions. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact Dr. Mirsepasi through his practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (972) 231-5744.