Sometimes, it is necessary to get a tooth pulled to maintain dental health. Tooth extractions are one of the most common dental procedures in the United States. Often, getting a tooth pulled is a straightforward process. Sometimes, it can require more.
 

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a treatment option where a dental professional removes a tooth from its dental socket or alveolus. Your dentist’s goal is to keep your teeth intact. However, the need to extract a tooth may be unavoidable in certain situations. In such cases, your dentist will ensure the procedure is as painless as possible. 
 

Surgical Extraction Vs. Simple Extraction

Your dentist can easily remove a tooth visible above the gum line using forceps, making it a simple extraction. If your dentist needs to remove bone and gum tissue to extract your tooth, you will need a surgical extraction. Fortunately, with dental advances and modern technology, you can expect safety and comfort during a surgical extraction. 
 

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

People have two sets of teeth, i.e., milk teeth and permanent teeth. The body first produces milk teeth. When they fall off, the permanent teeth replace them. Permanent teeth should last a lifetime, but extraction may be necessary for the following reasons:

 

Irreparable Damage Due to Severe Tooth Decay 

When tooth decay reaches the pulp at the center of the tooth, the bacteria produced can invade the pulp, causing an infection. In most cases, a root canal procedure may help address this problem. However, your dentist may recommend extraction if the infection is too severe to prevent it from spreading. 

Tooth decay is the most common cause of tooth removal worldwide. It takes years for tooth decay to progress to the point where removal is necessary. The longer you go without treatment, the more extensive the destruction and infection. Fortunately, regular dental exams and cleanings can help prevent, detect, and treat cavities with a simple filling.
 

Gum Disease

Gum disease is just as destructive as severe tooth decay when left untreated. In its advanced stages, gum disease can cause the degeneration of the bone, ligament, and gum tissue that support teeth. As they deteriorate, the teeth gradually become loose. Advanced gum disease may require tooth removal or cause teeth to fall independently.
 

Impacted Teeth

These teeth do not erupt or only partially erupt beyond the gum line. Reasons for impacted teeth include overcrowding, teeth that come in tilted or twisted at odd angles, and those that come in displaced. Impacted wisdom teeth can result from a jaw too small to accommodate these teeth. A Weston Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery dentist can safely and painlessly remove impacted teeth.
 

Overcrowded Teeth

Dentists may perform tooth removal as part of the orthodontic plan. If you have severely overcrowded teeth, your orthodontist may recommend the extraction of permanent teeth. That will create more space to pull the remaining teeth into alignment gradually. 
 

Tooth Breakage

When your tooth breaks near or at the gum line, there may be insufficient visible tooth structure to attach a tooth restoration like a dental crown. In such cases, dentists may recommend the removal of the broken tooth.
 

Conclusion

You have nothing to worry about if you need to get your tooth extracted. With anesthesia and modern dental procedures, the removal will give you better oral health in the long run. 

For more on tooth extraction, visit Weston Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at our Weston, Florida office. Call (954) 507-6441 to schedule an appointment today.