Every individual gets two sets of teeth. The milk teeth erupt in infancy and later fall off, giving way to permanent teeth. Ideally, permanent teeth should last a lifetime. For that, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits should help. Unfortunately, there may be situations when dentists recommend a tooth extraction. When a tooth cannot be saved, removal helps prevent further oral issues.
 

Irreparable Tooth Damage

When a tooth is damaged beyond repair, the dentist may recommend removal. Damage may be due to decay extending to the pulp in the center of the tooth. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves that can become infected by bacteria. A root canal can help treat the decay, but extraction is necessary if the infection has spread or is severe. The dentist will examine the damaged tooth to recommend the best option.
 

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

A tooth is impacted when it is prevented or blocked from erupting or emerging by the gums or other teeth. It might remain below the gum, or it may erupt partially. It usually happens with wisdom teeth. Apart from causing pain, an impacted tooth can damage the neighboring teeth. Aside from preventing damage, extracting an impacted tooth can reduce the risk of overcrowding and infection.
 

Treating Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a severe oral disease that affects the gums, periodontal ligaments, bone, and other oral structures. It is a severe form of gingivitis or gum infection. It is caused by bacteria present in dental plaque.

In its severe form, it can affect the bones and structures that support the teeth, resulting in tooth loosening. When this happens, the dentist may recommend tooth extraction to restore oral health.
 

Preventing Teeth Overcrowding

Patients who require orthodontic treatment usually must deal with the problem of tooth overcrowding. To ensure proper alignment, there should be room for the teeth to move as needed.

The orthodontist will begin by checking the teeth to see how crowded they are. If there is no space for adequate straightening, tooth extraction is recommended. The dentist will determine how many teeth to extract. It helps ensure proper alignment.
 

Extraction After an Accident

Being involved in a collision or vehicle accident can cause severe oral injuries. The initial course of action is to preserve the teeth, but this may not always be possible. The dentist may recommend dental techniques, such as bonding, veneers, bridges, and crowns, to save all or part of the tooth. But if the problem is severe, tooth extraction may be the only option. The dentist will consider the integrity of the supporting structures when making the decision. 

If a patient is undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy, the immune system is usually compromised. If there is any oral disease, doctors will recommend extraction to prevent the risk of infection.

Tooth extractions are typically conducted under local anesthesia, but some patients may require general anesthesia. In the case of an impacted tooth, the dentist will need to cut the gum and bone tissue covering the tooth. Hard-to-extract teeth are often removed in pieces.

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