A guide to tooth extractions – how to avoid them, when they are necessary, and more
In close partnership with you, Emmanuel Dental & Orthodontics can help you keep all of your teeth intact and preserve your natural, beautiful, and healthy smile. When we keep your teeth and gums healthy, treatments like tooth extractions are avoided. In fact, the extraction or removal of a tooth is typically a “last resort” procedure: our dentists, Drs. Pramod Thomas and Fred Silva offer many options for saving and restoring even severely damaged teeth. In the event that we can’t, there are options to replace teeth, too. Our team in Richardson, Texas, is pleased to answer your questions about when extractions may be necessary and what is involved.
How can extractions be avoided?
By keeping your teeth and gums healthy! We do that by getting each patient into a beneficial routine of regular hygiene visits. During these visits, Drs Thomas or Silva examine the condition of your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth. Consistent checkups allow us to monitor changes in your mouth and detect and address problems early, before they cause damage that could lead to tooth loss. As needed, we can recommend changes to your home care, incorporate prescription rinses or products into your daily routine, or proceed with treatments to preserve the affected teeth.
What treatments “save” damaged teeth?
Restorative procedures like dental fillings, crowns, and root canal therapy remove harmful bacteria and damaged tissue and rebuild the strength of the tooth. Periodontal treatments can also reverse damage caused by gum disease. Your gums protect and support your teeth. So, by restoring them, we prevent tooth loss associated with this progressive condition. Plus, at Emmanuel Dental & Orthodontics, you benefit from Dr. Silva, a specialist in the prevention, detection, and treatment of gum disease. He can recommend the most appropriate treatments to help you avoid tooth loss/extractions.
When do teeth need to be extracted?
Treatments like root canal therapy have an exceptionally high success rate, but some teeth may not be good candidates for this procedure. And, sometimes, the treated tooth fails to heal fully. Infection inside the tooth may persist. If allowed to persist, it can spread to other parts of your face and body. This is a significant health risk. Advanced gum disease can also erode the supportive bone and tissues, causing teeth to become loose in their sockets. In these and other cases where damage to the tooth poses a threat to your oral and overall health, extractions are recommended. In most cases, teeth should be replaced promptly following extractions to avoid further health consequences associated with tooth loss.
What are the exceptions to the rule of replacing teeth right away?
In general, prompt tooth replacement prevents complications such as neighboring teeth shifting out of alignment as they drift toward the empty spaces in your smile. However, not all extracted teeth need to be replaced. The most prominent example of this is wisdom teeth. These are the last teeth to erupt at the very back of the mouth. Since they erupt in our late teens and 20s, there often isn’t enough space for these molars to develop properly. They may grow at an angle and cause complications for neighboring teeth and structures in the mouth. We do not need to replace these teeth because you can function perfectly fine and be healthy without them.
How are teeth extracted?
With our advanced techniques and technologies, extractions are generally fast and tolerated well by most patients. Dental extractions are largely categorized as “simple” or nonsurgical and “surgical.” Simple extractions involve grasping intact and accessible teeth and loosening and lifting them from their sockets with special instruments. Surgical extractions involve making openings in the tissue and accessing and removing these teeth through such incisions. This technique is primarily used for teeth that are not easily accessible, such as a tooth with a fracture below the gumline or an impacted tooth “stuck” under the gums or jawbone. All extractions are done using expert anesthetic techniques to ensure your comfort. You will also be provided with clear instructions on caring for the extraction site. By following these instructions, you avoid problems like dry socket and encourage healthy and timely healing.
If your teeth are more sensitive than usual or you notice other changes, do not wait until your next scheduled appointment to contact us. Prompt evaluation and intervention may just save your tooth! Call (972) 200-2995 to speak with a member of our team in Richardson, TX, today.
