If your dentist recommends a tooth extraction, you may be considering skipping it. However, there are numerous situations when pulling the tooth will save you money and prevent discomfort and dental diseases. Here are a few situations that may require tooth extraction.

4 Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction

1. Impacted Teeth

A tooth becomes impacted when there’s not enough room for it to fully erupt, so it becomes lodged in the jaw. It’s most common with wisdom teeth, but it can also occur when other teeth are overcrowded. Symptoms of impacted teeth include pain and swelling. Partially-erupted teeth are also at a high risk for infection. If you don’t get an impacted tooth removed, other teeth can shift due to pressure. The pain will increase over time, and tooth extraction will be more difficult the longer you wait.

2. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay eats away at the tissue and roots of teeth, leading to pain, discoloration, and abscesses. If most of your tooth has been damaged by decay, it will be fragile and at high risk for infection. If a root canal, filling, or crown isn’t viable due to substantial damage, removal is often recommended to prevent future emergencies.

3. Gum Disease

Periodontal disease eats away at your gums and tissues around your tooth, including the jawbone, which can make it unstable and loose in its socket. Removing the tooth, followed by improved hygiene and dental care, can prevent gum disease from worsening. If the tooth is left in place, the infection can spread and cause damage to oral tissues.

4. Trauma

If a tooth is severely injured from trauma, pulling it may be required. Significant breaks where most of the tooth is missing and cracks where the damage goes down to the root leave your tooth open to infection, sensitivity, and further discomfort. Broken teeth may not support a crown, and cracks can cause discomfort or infection. In these cases, tooth extraction is the best option.

Do you need a tooth extraction from a reliable dentistry team? The professionals at Drs Bradford and Catchings Family Dentistry in Fishersville, VA, have over 40 years of combined experience in comprehensive dental care. They’ll develop a personalized care plan that will include attentive followup care after your tooth removal and tips to prevent future problems. Learn more about their services online, and call (540) 213-1966 for an appointment today.