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Oral Surgery (Extractions)

Tooth extractions, or even just the idea of having oral surgery, can put a person ill at ease. But, if you understand the principles behind pulling teeth and dental surgery in general, you will probably find the process having a tooth extraction to be less of an ordeal.

When might a person require a tooth extraction?

You and the dentist may decide that you need to have a tooth extracted for any one of a number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed, others because they have suffered the effects of advanced periodontal disease (“gum disease”). Some teeth need to be extracted because they have broken in a fashion that makes it impossible to repair them. Teeth may need to be removed because they are positioned in the mouth inappropriately (such as impacted wisdom teeth), or else in preparation for orthodontic treatment (“braces”).

When might a tooth extraction be a bad idea?

During the examination of your teeth and mouth it is possible that the dentist will be able to recommend various alternative treatments instead of just having a tooth extracted. While having a tooth extracted may be less expensive than the other options proposed it may not be the least expensive in the long run.

When a tooth is missing, its neighboring teeth will tend to shift, possibly significantly. Any alignment changes that occur can have a major impact on your dental health. Removing even a single tooth can lead to problems associated with your chewing ability or jaw joint function. Teeth whose alignment has changed can trap food or be hard to clean thoroughly, thus placing them at risk for tooth decay or gum disease.

So to avoid these complications, in most cases the dentist will probably recommend that you replace the tooth that has been extracted with either an implant, bridge or partial. Replacing a tooth that has been extracted with an artificial one can often cost more than the alternative of not having the tooth extracted and instead trying to restore the natural tooth with a crown.