3 Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction and Potential Complications
Most people would say that getting a tooth extraction is like, well, pulling teeth. Even though you probably don’t want to do it, this procedure has disadvantages of tooth extraction and other potential drawbacks, though in the right cases it can relieve pain. If a tooth cannot be saved, a dental professional will weigh the pros and cons and try to save natural teeth first, but if leaving it will negatively impact your other teeth, it’s gotta go. You must always consider your overall oral health and remember that some teeth require extraction because leaving them in place can harm your dental health, so it’s better to remove one tooth rather than lose many.
The experts at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute can determine whether or not you need to have a tooth pulled, and a dental professional can explain the procedure, risks, and potential drawbacks before treatment, as well as share tips on soothing tooth extraction pain and how to stop bleeding after getting a tooth pulled. Here are a few common reasons you may need a tooth extraction. For more information, contact one of the friendly staff members at OFSI!
Impaction (Wisdom Teeth)
When a tooth is impacted, especially with wisdom teeth, it may not erupt properly and can stay trapped underneath the gum line. This can cause trouble for your neighboring teeth and affect the mouth more broadly, so it will most likely need to be pulled. Understanding whether wisdom teeth really need to be removed can help you and your provider decide on the right timing for treatment. Impacted wisdom teeth can be very painful, so if you have concerns raise them immediately with your dentist. In rare cases, impacted wisdom teeth are also discussed in relation to nerve damage.
Overcrowding and Neighboring Teeth
Crowding of the teeth is called malocclusion. It can be due to genetic factors as well as childhood habits that caused alignment issues. Impacted teeth can also cause overcrowding and lead to serious problems created by impacted wisdom teeth.
This can lead to jaw pain, improper function of the teeth, premature wear or inadequate cleaning, and, if teeth shift after an extraction, an increased risk of gum disease. If you have severe overcrowding, tooth removal may be used to create space for orthodontic treatment. This is especially common in preparation for alignment by way of braces to improve oral function as well as alignment, especially if your child is being evaluated for wisdom teeth extraction. If multiple teeth are removed without careful planning, it can also affect chewing.
Tooth decay
Most people have gotten a cavity or two in their lives. However, what people may not know is that severe tooth decay and advancing dental decay can damage a tooth deeply enough to reach the root, letting bacteria spread below the enamel. If your tooth cannot be saved with a root canal, persistent pain or an infected tooth may be signs that extraction is necessary, and some medical conditions, including compromised immune systems, may make removal the best way to prevent infection from spreading, so preparing for a tooth extraction and dealing with anxiety ahead of time can be very helpful. Otherwise, removing it can help protect your remaining teeth and overall dental health.
It is important to have cavities taken care of in their early stages before it gets to the point of extraction. After a tooth is missing, your dentist may discuss replacement options such as dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures, including whether general anesthesia is needed when getting dental implants, and replacing an extracted tooth promptly can preserve chewing function, help prevent jawbone loss and bone loss that can begin within months, and reduce long-term complications if not left untreated. Leaving a missing tooth untreated can also affect facial structure, self-esteem, and even nutrition over time.
We know tooth extractions aren’t everyone’s favorite thing, but the process is nowhere near as painful or dreadful as most might imagine, especially when a skilled oral surgeon performs extractions.
The Oral and Facial Surgery Institute will always offer you sedation options to ensure you feel comfortable, and understanding the three main types of anesthesia used in oral surgery can make the experience feel more predictable. Local anesthesia can numb the area around the tooth being removed and, if chosen, be combined with nitrous oxide sedation to calm anxiety around oral surgery. Recovery time varies, but many patients return to normal activities within 1–2 days, and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage discomfort. Certain medications can also affect the healing process, and some may cause delayed healing, so be sure to report them before treatment. A dry socket is a painful condition that happens when the blood clot is dislodged too early, and the extraction site can also develop swelling or fever during recovery. These are both options that do not cause drowsiness, making for a convenient experience. It is our goal to ensure you walk out of our office feeling better than ever about your smile.