Why is a tooth extraction necessary?

Tooth extraction becomes a necessary step in some conditions like severe tooth decay, fractured teeth, severe gum disease, impacted wisdom tooth, misaligned teeth, and many others.

So, looking back into my childhood, I remember my encounter with my orthodontist.

This is my story. I was about 13 or 14 years old when I first visited the dentist. The doctor checked me up and told me that I need braces. Also, my premolar teeth need to be removed to create more room in my mouth to align my teeth properly. These new terms seemed exciting to me and the thought of losing teeth didn’t seem so daunting after all.

Now many years later, I’m the same person talking all about tooth extractions, today! So, lets dive right in.

What is tooth removal?

Extraction involves removal of the tooth in a painless way, so that the tissues around the tooth remain unharmed.

When do you need to get your tooth removed?

Your tooth may be extracted for any of the following reasons:

 

1. Severely decayed tooth

When decayed tooth is left untreated, the decay spreads and involves the whole tooth which slowly breaks down and loses most of its structure with severe pain and infection spreading to surrounding bone. Such a tooth cannot be restored by either fillings or by root canal treatment and need to be extracted.

2. Severe gum disease

Severe gum disease causes spread of infection to the underlying bone and the investing tissue of the tooth. This results in loosening of the teeth, pain and pus around the teeth. Such teeth require extraction to get rid of infection and pain.

3. Fractured tooth

Teeth which are fractured at a deeper level that cannot be restored will require extraction followed by replacement. Such fractures can occur due to injuries to the face and teeth.

4. Impacted wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth sometimes cannot erupt or partially erupted into the mouth due to certain reasons like small jaw size, lack of space, etc. such teeth cause pain due to many reasons like decay, force over the adjacent teeth, etc. These teeth cannot be treated due to their abnormal eruption pattern and require extraction to prevent damage to neighbouring teeth.

5. For orthodontic treatment

When the jaw size is small and the teeth size is big, the teeth in the mouth are crowded with poor alignment. In such conditions, certain tooth extractions may be needed to make room in the jaw for proper alignment of the teeth to be done.

So, it’s seen that all these factors will lead to dental extraction!

It is with us and in our hands to save what we already have and after all, prevention is better than cure! I urge you to consider your oral health with more care!

so, bottom line, take care of your health, keep smiling, stay healthy!

Have a great dentist visit!

Thank you!!!

 

BY: DR. MEGHNA REDDY

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON