Sometimes a tooth extraction is the best option. Find out when it’s necessary.
Teeth are pretty resilient, so it can be rather stressful and surprising as an adult to find out that a permanent tooth actually needs to be removed. Of course, there are cases in which a tooth extraction is truly the ideal way to maintain a healthy smile in the long run. From the office of our Albuquerque, NM, periodontist, Dr. Petra Mayer, find out when we might recommend a tooth extraction.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
This is one of the most common reasons our Albuquerque periodontic specialist will recommend getting a tooth extraction. In most cases, this third and final set of molars won’t grow in properly, may cause overcrowding or may not fully erupt through the gums (also known as impacted wisdom teeth). If x-rays determine that the wisdom teeth could end up leading to cavities, gum disease or damage to neighboring teeth, then they will need to come out.
Severely Damaged Tooth
Our goal is to preserve a tooth as often as possible; however, there are moments when decay, an infection or even a crack is so severe and has damaged an extensive portion of a tooth that it is no longer viable. If the tooth’s structure can no longer stand on its own or be supported by a dental crown then it will need to be extracted and replaced. We would be happy to talk to you about your tooth replacement options to replace the extracted tooth.
Prior to Orthodontic Treatment
If you are dealing with severe crowding and are getting braces to fix the issue, then a dentist may actually recommend having one or two teeth removed prior to getting orthodontic treatment in order to provide enough room for teeth to more easily shift into the proper position.
There are other scenarios in which removing teeth may be necessary. If you are undergoing radiation or taking certain cancer medication you may end up dealing with an infected tooth that will need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading. Children whose baby teeth don’t fall out naturally and prevent permanent teeth from coming will also need to be removed.
Do you have questions about an upcoming tooth extraction? Are you wondering whether you need your wisdom teeth removed? If so, then it’s time you called our periodontal specialist in Albuquerque, NM for a consultation.