When a tooth has been broken or damaged because of decay, your dentist will want to fix it with a filling, crown, or another dental treatment. But if too much damage has occurred and the tooth can not be repaired, the tooth will need to be extracted/removed from its socket within the bone.
Aside from damage and decay, here are some other common reasons why a tooth might need to be removed:
• Extra teeth that block another tooth from coming in
• Baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow the permanent to come in
• If braces are an option, tooth extraction might be needed to create more room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
• Someone receiving radiation to the head and neck. If teeth are in the field of radiation, they may need to be removed.
• Someone who is receiving cancer drugs may develop infected teeth. These drugs can weaken the immune system.
• Wisdom teeth/third molars, are taken out usually before or after they erupt in the mouth. Usually, they come in during the late teens or early 20’s. Removal is needed if they are decayed, infected, or there just simply isn’t enough room in the mouth.
Two Types of Extractions
• Simple Extraction
Performed on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. A general dentist usually does simple extractions. The dentist will loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. He or she then uses an instrument called forceps to remove the tooth. Family Cosmetic Dentist Fairhope AL
• Surgical Extraction
A more complex procedure. Used if a tooth is broken off at the gum line or has yet to erupt in the mouth. Oral maxillofacial surgeons usually perform this procedure, although a general dentist can also perform this extraction. The doctor will make a small incision into the gum to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth. Sometimes it is necessary to remove some of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in half to extract it. Family Cosmetic Dentist Fairhope AL
