Instead of pulling teeth, dentists strive to save them in the first place. This is because even a single space left after extraction or losing a tooth can jeopardize the health of the remaining teeth. Even so, there are times when it is not possible to save a tooth, and extraction becomes the only option. Here are some incidents where a dentist has to extract a tooth.
A Badly Damaged Tooth
Enamel loss arises gradually over time owing to decay. Furthermore, once the tough enamel exterior is gone, the softer dentin layer quickly gives way. When tooth decay is not treated, the tooth’s damage can worsen to the point where a filling or dental crown is no longer an option. The only option left is extraction.
Mistakes can and do happen. A tooth that has been broken all the way down to the root must be extracted. A crown placed on a tooth that has a damaged root will not keep the tooth from falling out, but it may allow it last long.
Infection
When bacteria get past the tooth’s protective enamel and into the pulp, the infection spreads quickly. When a tooth becomes infected, the nerve dies and the pulp begins to rot. If administered promptly, root canal therapy and antibiotics can often save infected teeth however, the extent of the damage must be considered.
If an infection is left untreated for too long, abscesses form at the root tip. It is not uncommon for a tooth to require extraction due to infection. The extraction of a severely infected tooth frequently results in the eradication of the infection. Furthermore, if severe gum infections have already destroyed the underlying structures, extraction may be required.
Impacted Teeth
A dentist might also recommend extraction if the teeth are impacted. An impacted tooth is one that cannot break through the gums. Such impacted teeth might grow in ways that end up damaging other teeth.
Talk to us if your teeth have problems to see what treatment can work to save them. If the tooth cannot be saved, then that is when the extraction is done.