There are only a few instances in which extracting a tooth is better than trying to restore and save it. Wisdom teeth, for instance, cannot be saved once they become impacted (and as our third set of molars, saving them isn’t vital to maintaining your bite’s proper function). In other cases, extreme damage or infection might also compromise a tooth so much that it becomes a liability to your oral health and needs to be removed. The good news is that tooth extraction doesn’t typically hurt; in fact, the procedure often alleviates the pain associated with a seriously compromised tooth.
Why We Extract Teeth
With the advancement of today’s restorative dentistry, even severe tooth damage and tooth decay can often be restored and the natural tooth saved. Yet, certain situations may make tooth restoration impossible, such as;
- A tooth with a damaged root.
- A broken tooth without enough healthy structure left to repair.
- A tooth with a previous restoration (like a dental crown) that has failed.
- Teeth that no longer have enough support due to severe gum disease.
- A tooth that is too severely crooked to straighten.
- And more
How We Extract Teeth
For most simple tooth extractions, the procedure is quick and can be performed with minimal discomfort. For maximum comfort, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to block the nerve signals in and around the tooth. You can also opt for dental sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed while in the dentist’s chair. After your extraction, the discomfort of the damaged or infected tooth will subside, and your dentist will discuss replacing the extracted tooth to restore the rest of your bite’s full function.
