The main aim behind all dental procedures and treatments is to preserve the natural tooth in the best possible manner. Tooth extraction is often the last choice among treatment options and is done only when not extracting the tooth can cause more damage. The process of dental extraction involves pulling out the entire tooth, including the dental root, from the gum socket. It is a serious procedure and requires the expertise of a dentist, oral surgeon depending on the reason for the extraction.
Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction may be required due to multiple reasons.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the most common reason for dental extraction. Tooth decay is the result of a buildup of bacteria in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene, which attacks the dental enamel and creates cavities or dental caries. Left untreated, the cavities grow in size and damage the dental pulp and cause pain, infection and swelling as well as gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Tooth extraction is advised when the decay damages the tooth in such a way that it cannot be repaired.
Crowding of Teeth
Misalignment of teeth due to overcrowding affects the oral and overall health of the person and impacts the aesthetics of his / her smile. In some cases, a permanent tooth is unable to erupt from the gums due to lack of space or when other teeth block it from coming out. Milk teeth of children that do not fall out in time also eat up the space of the permanent teeth. In order to correct alignment issues and create space, the orthodontist may suggest the extraction of one or more teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The third molars or back teeth that erupt the last, usually in the late teens or early twenties, are known as wisdom teeth. While on their own they are harmless, wisdom teeth can cause trouble if they are impacted or when they become trapped (partially or fully) in the gums or jawbone. If the impacted wisdom tooth is prone to infection, decay and gum disease, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in the jaw and skull, especially while chewing, and the oral surgeon will advise extraction of the tooth.
Due to Illnesses
Dental infections may develop due to the weakening of the immune system in patients who are taking prescription drugs for diseases like cancer or after an organ transplant. Tooth extraction is recommended in the case of such infections which are mostly unavoidable and cannot be corrected in any other way. Similarly, persons undergoing radiation to the head or neck may be advised to extract teeth that are within the field of radiation.
Due to Periodontal Diseases
This condition arises from gum disease. If gum disease is not treated properly it can cause the teeth to loosen or become infected, leading to pain and potentially necessitating extraction.
Types of Tooth Extraction
There are broadly two types of tooth extraction procedures – simple extraction and surgical extraction. The dentist will decide on which type of extraction is required depending on the complexity of the extraction procedure.
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Simple Extraction
In the case of dental issues like tooth decay or infections, a simple extraction carried out by the dentist may be sufficient. A local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area around the tooth that is to be extracted, including the gums and surrounding jaw bone, in order to prevent pain during the extraction procedure.
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Surgical Extraction
If the tooth is partially or fully impacted into the gums and is not visible in the mouth, like in the case of wisdom teeth, a more complex procedure including incisions in the connective tissues and oral surgery may be required. A surgical extraction is carried out by an oral surgeon and requires more preparation, including an x-ray for accurate treatment. After the extraction, stitches will be in place so the healing time after a surgical extraction is usually longer.
Importance of Preventative Dental Care
There is hardly anything that can replace the comfort and use of a person’s natural teeth. Missing teeth can cause problems like digestive issues, speech disorders, permanent bone loss in the jawbone, aged appearance and loss of confidence due to drifting of teeth, gaps between teeth and reduced aesthetics of a smile. While some causes necessitate the extraction of teeth and there are dental solutions for replacing teeth like dental bridges and dentures that help to restore functionality and aesthetics, they can never become a perfect substitute for natural teeth. This is why preventive dental care is very important right from early childhood. Maintaining good oral hygiene and habits from an early age can go a long way in preventing the need for tooth extractions due to oral decay and infections.
How to Prevent Tooth Extraction
As stated earlier, a dental professional will try all possible means to preserve and restore the natural teeth of the person before advising tooth extraction. Apart from the oral hygiene and care to be adopted at home, there are a few other dental practices that may help to prevent tooth extraction:
Scheduling Regular Dentist Visits
The most common and easily avoidable reason for tooth extraction is tooth decay. Visiting a dentist at least once every six months can help to identify issues as soon as they occur and rectify them early.
Fluoride Treatments
As part of regular dentist visits, the dentist may provide a fluoride treatment to prevent oral decay. Applying fluoride to tooth enamel helps to protect them from cavities, thus arresting the onset of further decay.
Restorative Treatments
Dental fillings and Root Canal Treatment (RCT) are ways to restore an infected tooth to avoid extraction. Dentists use dental fillings to repair cavities and to fix cracks or chips in the teeth. In RCT procedures, the infected part of the pulp is removed from the tooth to stem any further decay and restore the functionality of the tooth.
Not extracting a tooth that is infected or broken beyond repair can pose various risks like acute pain and discomfort, compromised oral health as well as overall health issues. Therefore, it is important to recognize the need for timely interventions and to consult with a dental expert to verify if the tooth can be restored or needs to be extracted.