3210 Wilkinson Blvd, Ste. B-2, Charlotte, NC 28208
When Is a Tooth Extraction Needed?
While preserving a natural tooth is always preferable, there are situations where a tooth extraction becomes necessary to maintain oral health. This could be due to trauma, disease, or overcrowding in the mouth. A tooth extraction involves the complete removal of one or more teeth from the jawbone.
At Urban Family Dental, we provide gentle and safe tooth extraction services for patients in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, call us at (704) 900-5445 to learn more about how we can assist you.
A Normal Procedure
While preserving natural teeth is ideal, there are several situations that may require a tooth extraction. In some cases, a filling or crown may not be sufficient to restore a tooth. The American Dental Association recommends extraction for teeth that have experienced severe trauma, significant decay or disease, or those that are causing crowding among surrounding teeth. It's also common for patients to need one or two extractions prior to orthodontic treatment.
Many extractions are relatively straightforward and can be performed in-office. For teeth that are visible above the gum line, we will numb the area and use forceps to remove the tooth. However, broken or impacted teeth may necessitate a more complex procedure.
Preventing Infection
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It occurs when bacteria infiltrate below the gum line, leading to infections. If left untreated, this can result in gum recession, damage to the jawbone, loose teeth, and ultimately, tooth loss.
Research indicates that chronic dental infections can also trigger inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other health issues. While a root canal may often salvage a decayed tooth, there are instances when a tooth becomes irreparable due to significant loss of structure and stability. In such cases, tooth extraction can help prevent the spread of decay and infection.
Overcrowded or Impacted Teeth
In certain situations, extracting crowded or impacted teeth can be beneficial. Impacted wisdom teeth, for example, lack enough space to grow properly, leading to potential pain, infection, and other dental issues. While not all wisdom teeth require removal, extraction becomes necessary when they start causing problems. Additionally, partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to crowding and are more prone to cavities.
Patients may also need extractions prior to orthodontic treatment. Properly aligning teeth with braces can be challenging if there's not enough space. Crowded teeth increase the risk of gum disease and cavities, so removing some teeth can help alleviate crowding and improve overall oral health.
When Tooth Restoration Is Not Enough
Typically, the first approach to restore a damaged tooth is through a crown or filling. However, if the damage is too extensive, attempting to save the tooth may jeopardize your oral health. For instance, a filling might increase the risk of the tooth shattering, and a tooth may lack the strength needed to support a crown. Additionally, root canals may not be feasible when there’s significant damage.
Every tooth has a limit to how many times it can be treated before it starts to fail. Repeating a crown or root canal only provides temporary relief. After multiple fillings, crowns, and root canals, there may not be enough tooth structure left to salvage. In such cases, tooth extraction becomes the best option for preserving overall oral health.
Trauma and Tooth Extraction
Teeth are resilient, but they're not indestructible. Traumatic dental injuries can happen due to sports accidents, car crashes, or even a simple slip and fall. While many injuries may be minor, severe damage can make restoration impossible, necessitating an extraction.
After experiencing dental trauma, it's crucial for patients to schedule an appointment promptly to enhance their chances of a positive outcome. Our team will assess for signs of additional damage that might not be immediately apparent. Severely fractured teeth can become loose and beyond the point of repair, making extraction necessary. It’s important to take any dental trauma seriously, even if it appears minor.
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Dental Terminology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.