In most treatments, the dentist focuses their time and expertise on saving teeth. But sometimes, saving a tooth might not be possible, and this makes tooth extractions a necessary form of treatment within the modern dental field. Tooth extraction can be a painful process for the patient, but it’s important to know when and why tooth extractions are required. Here, we’ll look at several reasons why dentists perform tooth extractions.
Preparing for orthodontics
Many dentists perform tooth extraction work to prepare the patient for orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment is designed to properly align teeth within the mouth, and this may not be possible in cases where teeth are too large. Once they extract the over sized tooth they can then ensure all remaining teeth are perfectly sized.
Infection
In cases where there is tooth decay, and the damage extends to the pulp within the teeth, bacteria can enter through to the center of the tooth, leading to a dangerous infection. The dentist will likely try antibiotics as a first course of treatment for infection. But if antibiotics are unsuccessful in removing the infection, they can then extract the tooth to prevent the infection spreading to other areas.
To prevent risk of infection
In patients with compromised immune systems, tooth infection can have a significant impact on their health and may spread to other organs in their body. For these patients, dentists will often utilize tooth extraction if there’s a risk of the tooth becoming infected. It’s a leading option to protect the long-term health of the patient.
Gum disease
A dentist will extract a tooth when the tooth has been loosened or damaged by gum disease. In some cases, where the gum disease spreads quickly, the dentist will need to extract the tooth to prevent the further loss of bone and tissue. While tooth extraction can be a challenging treatment for some patients, it’s important they know that there are many restorative options to replace their lost tooth once the extraction has been completed. Included within the latest restorative treatments are the following:
- Fixed bridges
- Partial/full dentures
- Dental implants
By working with their dentist, patients can discover the most suitable treatment option for their post extraction requirements. Only through understanding the risk factors that can lead to extractions and analyzing their post extraction options carefully, can dental patients move forward in achieving peak oral health.