At your most recent dental visit, you were shocked when your dentist recommended tooth extraction. From what you know, that’s a worst-case-scenario type of procedure. But you haven’t felt anything unusual. Not even a tiny bit of discomfort. If you’re not experiencing any pain, what’s there to gain from extracting your tooth?
That’s an excellent question. Here’s why you might want to change your tune to “no pain, much gain”.
No Pain Could Mean Deep Dental Problems
When you get a sinus infection, you can usually clear it up with medication and antibodies. You can’t do that with a dental infection. Conditions like gum disease and tooth decay will simply continue to spread until they’re professionally removed by a dentist.
If an infection has gone deep into your tooth, where the nerves are, there’s a real threat of damage. They could become so deteriorated that you don’t feel any pain. You could have a tooth-loss causing problem and not even know it. In this case, your dentist is likely recommending extraction because a root canal won’t be effective.
The Impact of Dental Impaction
A less daunting but still important possibility for valid tooth extraction is impacted teeth. That doesn’t mean your pearly whites have been impacted by blunt force – although a complicated injury would certainly also justify a tooth removal. By “impacted tooth”, your dentist means that another tooth is trying to grow but can’t because it’s stuck underneath the one that won’t move. This is why wisdom teeth often require an eviction.
Teeth Can Get Claustrophobic Too
Even dental siblings like to have their space. When they don’t have enough, your dentist might have to fight a little harder to get them straightened out. Overcrowding describes an orthodontic situation where your teeth are, well, overcrowded. Sometimes you can relieve this uncomfortable problem with just an extraction. Other times you might need to follow up with an alignment treatment such as Suresmile.
Trust Your Dentist with Your Oral Health
Basically, your oral health is a bit more complicated than you might have thought! There are several reasons your dentist could be recommending a tooth extraction. However, it really is true that they only resort to this solution when other treatments won’t solve the problem. Trust your dentist to know when the conditions are met for a valid extraction. And if you want to know more about your situation, you can always ask!
About the Author
Dr. Julia Karpman believes that understanding your oral health is essential for promoting it. If you’re not sure why you might need a tooth extraction, she’ll be happy to consult with you. Dr. Karpman values patient relationships and will help you feel welcome during your visit – so don’t hesitate to raise any questions or concerns! To contact her office, call 860-563-3766 or explore her website for more information.