How a Tooth Extraction Could Improve Your Oral Health

Unfortunately, losing a tooth becomes considerably more problematic after you have all of your permanent teeth. Tooth extraction may be necessary to enhance your dental health for various reasons, including an impacted tooth, overcrowding, or a damaged tooth. Though dental extraction is not ideal, it is no longer as frightening or painful as it once was. Tooth extractions are now a bit simpler with newer methods and different anesthesia alternatives.

Ahead of the tooth extraction

Before recommending an extraction, the dentist will comprehensively examine the tooth or teeth in question. There are various reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. The dentist will first identify the reason and then decide the right extraction method. If a tooth has to be removed, they will do their best to keep the patient comfortable from start to finish. There are two kinds of dental extractions in most cases:

Surgical extraction

A surgical extraction is done when the tooth has not completely broken through the gum line and an incision in the gums is required to access the tooth. The tooth may be divided into numerous pieces if necessary to ease the process. Extraction surgery is often performed to remove impacted teeth, severely broken teeth, or overcrowded teeth, such as wisdom teeth.

Simple extraction

When a tooth is visible above the gum line, a dentist may perform a simple extraction. The tooth may be loosened using an elevator before the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. This method works when the tooth is infected, badly decaying, or cannot be salvaged but is still visible over the gums.

Restoring oral health with tooth extraction

The primary reason for dental extraction is to restore a patient’s oral health. Some of the common factors that necessitate the condition include:

Severe tooth decay

Cavities that are not treated quickly enough may spread to the pulp of the tooth. Although a root canal may be performed to preserve the tooth, it may need to be removed if the decay is too extensive. A simple extraction may prevent decay and infection from spreading to your other teeth, jaw, gums, and bloodstream.

Wisdom teeth issues

The wisdom teeth, or third set of molars, will almost certainly need to be removed. Since most people have jaws that cannot accommodate these other teeth, the dentist will suggest surgical tooth extraction before they start causing issues in the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth do not break through the gums, are vulnerable to infection, and can potentially disrupt the alignment of the remaining teeth. However, not everyone requires the extraction of their wisdom teeth.

Severe damage

Accidents happen, and the teeth are occasionally harmed as a result. While preserving the tooth is usually the primary priority, it may not always be feasible. Patients should make an appointment with their dentist if they have a mouth injury, whether it is due to a vehicle accident or a sports injury. A damaged tooth is susceptible to infection that might cause other oral health issues.

In conclusion

It is occasionally essential to extract a tooth or two to preserve or enhance your smile. Tooth extraction may be necessary for various reasons, including preventing the development of disease, avoiding an impaction, or just creating more room in your mouth. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction in St George, UT.