When is it Time for a Tooth Extraction?

Oct 13, 2016
when is it time for a tooth extraction

While many may dread going to the dentist for a surgical tooth extraction, there are many valid reasons as to why it may be necessary. Here are the top three reasons as to why your dentist may decide a tooth extraction is the best option for you:

  • Overcrowding: This could mean a number of things. One reason why dentists might decide it’s best to extract a tooth is to prepare your mouth for an alignment. It is harder to straighten your teeth with braces or ClearCorrect if your teeth don’t have the room to adjust accordingly. In addition, your dentist may recommend extracting a tooth if there is not enough room for another tooth to grow.
  • Damage: If you have broken or cracked teeth that cannot be salvageable, your dentist may suggest extracting them. Any tooth decay that is beyond repair may also be a candidate for a tooth extraction.
  • Infection: If you have tooth decay that is extensive or has affected the center of your tooth, where the pulp is, bacteria can easily infect it. The pulp is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, so if any of these important living components are significantly impacted, the infection can spread to your other teeth. Your dentist may first recommend a root canal to resolve the issue, but if the infection has become critical to the point that antibiotics or the root canal does not prove effective, then the next step would be to extract the affected tooth to prevent its infection from spreading further.

If you feel like you may be experiencing any of these issues with your teeth, it is important to visit your dentist to learn more about tooth extraction houston to see if it’s the right option for you.