Once you lose a tooth, it’s gone for good. Sure, replacements like dental implants come surprisingly close to the real thing, but nothing feels quite like a natural tooth. So, when your dentist tells you that you need a tooth extraction and you’re not even in pain, it may feel unnecessary! Doesn’t something serious have to be wrong to require extraction? Understanding the real reasons for removing a tooth can help you have a clearer idea of your oral health and care.
Is Pain a Required Symptom for Tooth Extraction?
Although discomfort and pain can often precede tooth extraction, you do not need to be hurting to require this procedure. For instance, you may have had a toothache that suddenly disappeared. At first, this scenario may seem like a good thing; however, the underlying problem has not gone away just because the pain has.
Why Would a Tooth Need to Be Extracted?
If you don’t have to be in pain to have a tooth removed, what reasons could justify this procedure? As much as possible, your dentist preserves your natural teeth, but under the following circumstances, extraction may become necessary:
Overwhelming Decay
Not always, but often, a large cavity can take over a tooth and cause discomfort. If caught and treated early enough, this problem can be addressed with root canal treatment and the tooth restored with a crown. However, after a tooth has been overrun with decay and the nerve has died, the pain may be gone, but removing the tooth entirely is the only way to prevent the cavity from spreading to those surrounding it.
Deep Crack
Many times, a cracked tooth can be treated and fixed. For cracks that only affect the surface, this cosmetic flaw can be covered up with a veneer. Certain cracks extend into the center of the tooth, where the nerve is housed. In this situation, root canal treatment and a crown can prevent further damage and allow you to keep the natural tooth. However, if the crack goes beyond the gumline, the remaining tooth structure may not be sufficient to hold a crown, necessitating extraction.
Gum Disease and Jawbone Deterioration
Inflamed gum tissue, diagnosed as gum disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, and unfortunately, nearly half of Americans over the age of 30 have an advanced case of gum disease. After infecting the gums, bacteria break down the connection with teeth and then attack the jawbone tissue. Both of these structures support teeth and keep them stable. As a result, untreated gum disease can make teeth loose. At some point, teeth cannot be saved and must be extracted to start the treatment process.
Overcrowded Teeth
You may wish to straighten your teeth, but you might not have enough room to make these shifts. In overcrowded mouths, taking out one tooth may provide adequate space to realign teeth properly.
Although pain is common, it isn’t required before an extraction. When your dentist explains your treatment options, they should identify the reason for their recommendation. With this knowledge, you can move forward with your extraction with more confidence and more understanding.
About the Practice
At Goodyear Family Dentistry, we go the extra mile to make sure patients who need tooth extractions are treated comfortably and quickly. We offer various sedation options to calm anxiety and add further pain relief. We also accept same-day emergency visits, which means you won’t have to wait long to have the issue resolved. If you think you have a tooth needing extraction, contact us online or call our office at 623-925-8208.