Picture this: you’re at your dentist’s office, going over your X-rays at the end of your semi-annual exam, and you’ve just been told that you need to have a tooth removed. Not exactly the news you wanted to hear, right? Worse yet, it comes as a complete surprise, because the tooth in question feels just fine. So, why if it doesn’t seem to have any problems does it need to be extracted? While yes, sometimes a toothache will lead to needing an extraction, there are some instances where it still should come out, even if it doesn’t hurt or seem injured. Here are five common reasons this may occur.
It’s Impacted
You may have heard the word “impacted” when discussing wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that come in between the ages of 17 and 26. Sometimes these “spare” teeth can grow sideways, pushing into your existing, healthy molars. This is known as impaction. When it occurs, the wisdom tooth can break the other nearby teeth, resulting in painful damage that could cause you to lose them. Thus, your dentist may recommend extracting the wisdom teeth. This protects the established molars and prevents a long list of additional problems ranging from cleaning issues to crowding.
It’s Infected
Sometimes we can tell something is amiss with our teeth, but in other cases, you may not even realize something is wrong. In fact, it might not be until your routine dental checkup that your dentist notices a problem and subsequently recommends extraction. This can occur with infections. Though it may seem strange to remove a tooth that looks and feels fine, unfortunately this type of problem does not heal or go away on its own, and extraction may be necessary to prevent it from causing more damage to other nearby teeth, especially if the tooth in question cannot be repaired with a root canal.
It’s Too Decayed or Damaged to Repair
Unfortunately, sometimes despite their best efforts, dentists cannot save every tooth. If yours is too damaged or decayed to be restored with the help of a filling or crown, it may be best to remove it and make way for a dental implant. Dental implants are a beautiful, natural-looking and feeling solution to replace lost teeth. They prevent bone degradation and allow you to chew food and showcase your smile without anyone ever knowing they’re not “real” teeth.
You Need More Space
Another common reason your dentist might recommend you remove a healthy tooth is if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. If your mouth is crowded, you may need to extract back teeth to create more space for the rest of them to spread out. This will not only improve the appearance of your smile, but it will also make it easier for you to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
You Have Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease starts in the gums, but it can cause your jawbone to deteriorate and your teeth to fall out. If your dentist believes your teeth cannot be saved, you may need to have them extracted. You may then need a bone grafting procedure which would rebuild your jaw and make it strong enough to receive dental implants.
Remember, while nobody wants to have a tooth removed, sometimes extraction is necessary for the safety of your remaining healthy teeth. If your dentist recommends removing a tooth that is not in any pain, it will always be in the best interest of your oral health.
About Dr. Karpman
Dr. Julia Karpman truly enjoys getting to know her patients on a personal level and helping them to protect their smiles through education and high-quality dentistry. She understands that excellent oral health is directly related to total body health, and that by protecting your teeth and gums, you can improve your quality of life as well as your beautiful smile.
To schedule an appointment for tooth extraction at Dental Essentials of Rocky Hill, please visit our website or call us today at 860-563-3766.