Situations That May Lead To The Need For A Tooth Extraction
If you see your dentist and hear that you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, you may panic at the idea of having one of your permanent teeth yanked out of your mouth. However, a dentist typically only removes teeth when it is absolutely necessary. If you are concerned about going through the extraction, then keep reading to understand some of the scenarios that make it necessary for tooth removal to take place and to also understand what may happen if the tooth is not removed.
Severe Dental Trauma
Some teeth can be repaired with bonding materials as well as crowns and other devices. However, there are some cases that may call for a removal instead. If a tooth forms a crack that reaches below the gums or if the root is cracked vertically, then a removal may be scheduled. Also deep fractures along the biting edge and cracked teeth that release as much as half the cusp may need to be extracted. All of these scenarios involve extensive dental trauma that is either impossible or difficult to repair.
In most cases, extremely damaged teeth are removed so they do not deteriorate further. This is likely, and extensive trauma may cause a great deal of pain. Certain cracks, like the ones that extend through the dental roots, may produce almost no pain, so this may be surprising. However, the nerve inside the tooth will send out these strong sensations as soon as the trauma, or an infection, reaches the nerve.
It is often best to remove the tooth before a potentially painful condition begins or an infection is able to develop and possibly spread to the gums, jaw, and the other nearby teeth.
Overcrowding Issues
If you have a small mouth, like your mother or father, then you may need to go through some sort of cosmetic dentistry or orthodontia to straighten the teeth. In most cases, teeth are removed well before braces are placed in the mouth. Some teeth also may be removed even if you do not intend on going through the dental straightening process.
Overcrowded teeth can cause an abundance of oral issues. Overlapping teeth can be difficult to clean, and cavities may develop if you cannot reach them with a toothbrush. Your face may not appear as natural as it should either, and you may feel uncomfortable when you chew and bite on food.
In some cases, overcrowded teeth can cause the compaction of the wisdom teeth. This causes the third molars to get stuck in the jaw under your other teeth. The condition can be extremely painful and may require surgical intervention. If teeth are removed before the wisdom teeth develop, then compaction issues can be completed avoided. However, if you already have a small mouth, then the wisdom teeth may need to be removed as well once they come in.
Severe Infections
Dental infections are typically treated with root canals and antibiotics. Most tooth infections will clear up, and your dentist will work with you to place a crown on the biting surface to retain tooth strength. However, complications can occur with some root canal treatments. Infections can spread before treatments are successful, and this can cause necrosis of the jaw. This issue is treated with tooth removal and the release of dead bone material. The condition is called osteonecrosis and it is quite serious.
Sometimes a tooth cannot be completed cleaned out during a root canal. Extremely small root openings can cause this complication. If the bacteria multiply and thrive, then a new infection will form. If infections continue and the teeth cannot be cleaned thoroughly, then the root may need to be removed from the tooth. Your dentist may also choose to pull the entire tooth out of the mouth.
To learn more, contact a company like Milner Dentistry.