There are times when a tooth is too damaged to save with a root canal, filling, or by crowning. You have to have natural tooth structure to work with, and if your natural tooth structure is missing or too far damaged you may need to have the tooth extracted. That is why dentists today believe in minimally invasive treatments. That means that they try to remove very little of the natural tooth leaving as much tooth intact as possible in case of future problems. Once you extract a tooth, the gap it leaves can lead to considerable problems. Read on to find out more facts about tooth extraction.
Facts
Fact #1: Sometimes a tooth simply cannot be saved. There may be too much decay or damage leaving little tooth structure to work with. It may have already been treated with a filling or such, and the tooth around the filling broke off, leaving little tooth structure. In such cases, extraction may be necessary.
Fact #2: If patients do not want to undergo expensive, complex treatment they may simply ask that the tooth be pulled. It’s faster, easier and less expensive.
Fact #3: Wisdom teeth often need extracting if they are impacted, erupting crooked, or there is not enough space to accommodate them.
Fact #4: Sometimes teeth are extracted to make room for other teeth before orthodontic treatment.
Fact #5: Once a tooth has been extracted, if it is not replaced with some sort of prosthesis, it can lead to such problems as shifting teeth which can eventually lead to a mouth full of crooked teeth, misaligned bite, TMJ, and/or bone loss in the jaw.
Fact #6: If you have a tooth extracted you should consider a dental implant, a bridge, or a fixed or removable partial denture.
ABOUT YOUR GRAND PRAIRIE DENTIST:
Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, restorative, and family dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you and your family are new or returning patients, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.
