Are you being told that you need a tooth extracted? While this may be unfortunate news, it’s certainly not something that an oral surgeon wants to consider as a first option. In fact, an extraction is only recommended as a last resort. Therefore, there is always a good reason a dental professional may suggest you need a tooth extraction in Dallas. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, your tooth may not be viable.

Severe Decay

When bacteria collect on the teeth, they slowly produce acids that turn into dental plaque. This plaque, when left unremoved for too long, can easily lead to tartar (calculus) and cause the thick enamel layer of tooth to break down. If caught too late, no amount of restorative dentistry can save the tooth. This is because its structure has broken down so much that not extracting the tooth will only increase the risk of an infection developing. Furthermore, decay can easily spread to other teeth and parts of the mouth, so an extraction can actually benefit long-term oral health when performed in this circumstance.

Periodontal Disease

Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is an infection not just of the gum tissue, but the ligaments and alveolar bone responsible for holding teeth in place. When damaged by bacteria, the gums become inflamed, irritated, and begin to break down. Since gum disease is so common, it also happens to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. In severe cases, the tooth can become loosened and need to be extracted just to treat the gum disease.

Impacted Teeth

Teeth become impacted when they try to erupt from the gums but cannot because an existing tooth is blocking their path. This typically occurs with wisdom teeth, but it can happen to other teeth as well. If an oral surgeon recommends to have the impacted tooth removed, it’s likely to protect it from damaging nearby teeth.

Eliminate Overcrowding

Overcrowding is an issue most commonly resolved by orthodontic treatments like braces. However, removing teeth can also be a feasible solution to prevent overcrowding, an issue that can cause the bite to become uneven and lead to problems related to the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ, which attach the jaw to the skull). In other cases, extraction may be recommended to make room for orthodontic treatment.

Physical Injury

When playing contact sports, teeth can easily get knocked out. In fact, it remains one of the most common causes for lost teeth in general outside of dental disease. Teeth can also become knocked out or damaged beyond repair as a result of a car accident.

A damaged tooth is not always a lost cause, but sometimes an extraction can be the best treatment option going forward. If that ends up being the case, an oral surgeon can ensure the process is comfortable and successful.

About the Author

With nearly a decade of experience in the field, Dr. Cam thoroughly enjoys not just helping others address their biggest oral health concerns, but meeting new people and building relationships that last for years. He’s an expert in surgical tooth extractions no matter how complex they might be. To schedule an appointment with his office, you can contact him through his website.