With proper care, adult teeth can often last a lifetime. But, while these important body parts are built-to-last, they can still encounter health problems or injuries that put them in jeopardy. In some of these cases, a trusted dentist may be able to preserve and protect the tooth. However, in other situations, complete tooth extraction may be necessary. To help you better assess your treatment options, here is a quick guide to when tooth removal is needed—and what you can expect from the process.

When Do Teeth Need to Be Removed?

They’re Impacted

Impaction is one of the most common reasons for tooth extraction. Impacted teeth refer to those that are unable to emerge through the gum tissue due to a lack of space in the mouth. This often happens to wisdom teeth—the third set of molars that usually erupt near the back of the mouth during young adulthood. In left untreated, impacted teeth may cause severe pain, become infected, or cause crowding in other areas of the mouth. By removing the impacted tooth, your mouth will have enough room to comfortably accommodate other teeth.

They’re Infected

With routine brushing, flossing, and dental care visits, you can usually protect your mouth from oral bacteria. But in some cases, this bacteria may penetrate enamel—such as when a cavity is present—and infect the interior of the tooth, known as dental pulp.

If caught early, this infection can be cleaned and sealed through a root canal procedure. But if the problem has advanced, tooth extraction may be the only way to stop pain and keep the infection from spreading.

Chronic infection of the gum tissue—known as gum disease—may also raise the need for tooth extraction. When left untreated, this infection will wear away at gum tissue, causing it to loosen its grip on teeth. If the gums can no longer maintain a solid hold on teeth, removal may be the best option.

They’re Being Replaced

Whether for cosmetic or restorative purposes, many people opt to replace their natural teeth with dental implants. Since this prosthetic device replaces the entire tooth-and-root system, full extraction is necessary before the implant can be put in.

 

If your smile is causing you pain, turn to Larry G. Hubbard, DDS to get to the root of the problem. Through careful examination, this Statesboro, GA dentist will determine what’s causing your symptoms and what treatment is best for your oral health. Whether you need a root canal or tooth extraction, you can count on Dr. Hubbard to provide gentle care that helps you stay relaxed at every stage of treatment. And if your missing tooth has left an unappealing gap, he’s also equipped to provide state-of-the-art dental implants to restore your smile. Visit this friendly local dentist online to learn more about his services or call (912) 764-9891 to schedule an appointment.