The Truth About Why Having A Tooth Extracted Can Boost Overall Oral Health

Reasons For A Tooth Extraction

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN ACHIEVING YOUR STRAIGHTER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE
Back when you were a little kid, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a little money from the tooth fairy. Sadly, once you got all your permanent teeth, it became a lot less enjoyable. There are plenty of reasons that you might need a dental extraction to help your oral health, such as tooth impaction, to avoid overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction may not sound like a good time, it's no longer as scary or uncomfortable as it once was. With modern methods and many sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Carrollton makes tooth extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our dental staff in Dallas, TX will thoroughly assess the tooth before determining you need an extraction. When a tooth needs to be extracted, our team will ensure you feel comfortable from start to finish. Read on to find out about the two main methods of dental extractions and the top reasons a tooth or teeth might need to be pulled.

TYPES OF DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are numerous reasons why a tooth might have to be removed. First, the team at MINT dentistry in Carrollton will diagnose the reason for your dental issue. Then, they will determine which type of tooth extraction best matches your case. The majority of dental extractions are based on two basic categories:

  • SURGICAL EXTRACTION
    A surgical extraction will be performed when the tooth hasn't fully broken out of the gums. Therefore, an incision is needed to remove the tooth inside the gums. If needed, the tooth could be cut into several pieces for a less invasive extraction. Extraction surgery is generally utilized to take out the back molars or an impacted tooth.
  • SIMPLE EXTRACTION
    Your dental practitioner will do a simple extraction if the tooth has erupted over the gums. The tooth may be loosened with a dental tool known as an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is typically chosen if a tooth is badly infected, very decayed, or not able to be saved, or to make room for overcrowding.

ROUTINE REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
A lot of types of dental problems may lead to needing a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons adults in Dallas, TX might get a tooth extraction is to prevent a tooth eruption problem. Here are several of the additional common reasons you may require a dental extraction:

  • EXCESSIVE CAVITIES
    If a dental cavity is left untreated or not addressed promptly, it may extend into the pulp in the tooth. Even though a root canal may possibly be conducted to save the tooth, it might need to be taken out if the decay is severe enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may keep the decay and infection from spreading to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, finally, your blood.
  • TOOTH IMPACTION
    If you have tooth impaction, it means there is some type of obstruction keeping the tooth from erupting through the gums. An impacted tooth could be blocked by a baby tooth that still hasn't fallen out on its own, or it may be developing in the wrong direction and is blocked by another permanent tooth. Based upon the reason for the impaction, the dentist may perform a simple or surgical extraction to lessen pain or prevent an infection.
  • TOOTH OVERCROWDING
    Often, a tooth or teeth might have to be extracted before an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or classic braces. An orthodontic treatment is done to gently push the teeth into the proper positions, which may require removing one or multiple teeth if there is not enough room so the others can fit. Tooth overcrowding is generally treated with a simple extraction.
  • WISDOM TEETH
    Many patients' back molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, will most likely need to be taken out. The human jaw typically isn't big enough fit these extra teeth, so when they begin to poke out of the gum tissue (usually from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist could recommend a surgical extraction. It's key to have your wisdom teeth removed as soon as you can, before they get impacted or infected. However, some individuals never need to get their wisdom teeth removed. It's uncommon, but some fortunate patients don't grow all four molars or even any whatsoever!
  • TRAUMA TO THE TEETH
    Regrettably, injuries can happen to us all, and, occasionally, our teeth could incur trauma. While the ideal option is generally to make all efforts to save the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury could be caused by a car crash or perhaps an athletic or on-the-job incident, but whatever the reason, anyone in Dallas, TX really need to set up a consultation with a dentist if they've experienced a tooth injury. Sometimes, the harm isn't noticeable to a nonprofessional.

HEALING TIME FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
After a dental extraction, it's important to understand and diligently follow your dentist’s after-care directions. A simple extraction will generally need less healing time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to depend on every unique case. You may be written a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, and maybe a pain medication. You might opt to go on a liquid diet for the immediate few days after the extraction, while your gums are sore and healing. This is a good chance to have a little ice cream, but you ought to also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You ought to stop using all tobacco products, both prior to and after your treatment, as they will impair your body's ability to heal correctly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you are able to go back to brushing and flossing again.

THE SOLUTION TO A HEALTHIER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MAY INCLUDE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction could be needed for a lot of reasons, including to stop an infection from affecting other teeth, to address an impaction, or simply to allow your other teeth more space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Carrollton is important in obtaining your dream smile. Visit our office in Dallas, TX to set up a consultation with our experienced dental professionals to talk about if a simple or surgical extraction might be the best solution for a healthier, more attractive smile.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.