Despite taking great care of your teeth — brushing and flossing every day, visiting the dentist for checkups, etc — there are still situations that could arise that necessitate tooth extraction. While no one ever wants to have a tooth or several, removed, sometimes this is the best course of action for not only your oral health but your overall health as well. Whether you are having issues with your wisdom teeth or another tooth suffered trauma causing it to decay, an extraction can be the best solution to keep you healthy. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist talks about the situations in which a tooth extraction is the right option for maintaining a healthy smile.
Common Situations Requiring Removal
Removing a tooth can be a wise move in numerous situations. For instance, if you have significant tooth decay that is too far gone to be treated with a filling or strengthened with a crown, extraction could be the most beneficial procedure at your disposal. Additionally, if you have a tooth that has suffered an external trauma, like being severely hit or cracked, it might not be repairable. In this case, removing it is likely the best path forward. Sometimes, when a tooth becomes infected, it can spread to your gums or throughout the rest of your body. This is particularly dangerous if you have a compromised immune system. In this case, extraction can protect the overall health of your body.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
You have probably heard a lot about wisdom teeth extraction. While not everyone needs these back molars removed, many do. Often, these teeth come in at improper angles or they only partially emerge. This cannot only be painful, but it can also hurt your other teeth due to overcrowding or a high susceptibility to infection. If any of these outcomes are possible or likely, your dentist will suggest these teeth come out.
What To Expect Next
After you have a tooth — or several — removed (excluding wisdom teeth) you will need to have the space skilled as quickly as possible. Not only is missing a tooth not aesthetically pleasing, but a gap can also cause your jawbone to deteriorate from lack of stimulation. Thus, it is crucial to receive either a bridge or a dental implant. A bridge is great for filling in a single gap, but it doesn’t stimulate your jaw. On the other hand, a dental implant or implant-retained dentures will both fill the space and ensure that your jaw is receiving proper stimulation. Your dentist will talk you through all of your options and will help you determine the best course of action.
Contact Us To Schedule Your Appointment
If you have any questions about tooth extractions or dental implants, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your appointment and speak with a member of our team today.
