Learn All About Why Having A Tooth Removed Can Improve Your Oral Health

Reasons For A Tooth Extraction

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN ACHIEVING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED SMILE
Back when you were very young, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a visit from the tooth fairy. Sadly, when you had all your adult teeth, it became significantly less enjoyable. There are numerous reasons why you may require a dental extraction to improve your oral health, such as an impacted tooth, to prevent overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. While a tooth extraction might not be a good time, it's no longer as frightening or uncomfortable as it once was. With modern methods and many sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Galveston makes tooth extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our dental staff in Galveston, TX will carefully examine the affected tooth before determining you need an extraction. If a tooth needs to be extracted, our team works hard to make sure you stay comfortable from beginning to end. Read on to explore both main types of tooth extractions and the leading reasons why a tooth may have to be extracted.

KINDS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are a number of reasons why a tooth may need to get pulled. First, your team at MINT dentistry in Galveston will determine the reason for your oral problem. After that, they will decide what kind of tooth extraction best suits your case. Almost all dental extractions are based on two main categories:

  • SIMPLE EXTRACTION
    A dental practitioner will conduct a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen above the gums. The tooth is often loosened with a dental tool known as an elevator, and then the tooth and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is generally used if a tooth is badly infected, very decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to address overcrowding.
  • SURGICAL EXTRACTION
    A surgical extraction will be performed if the tooth hasn't fully broken through the gums. Therefore, an incision is necessary to reach the tooth inside the tissue. If needed, the tooth could be divided into pieces for a simpler removal. Extraction surgery is generally chosen to pull the wisdom teeth or an impacted tooth.

ROUTINE REASONS YOU COULD NEED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Many types of tooth problems can result in having to get a tooth extraction. Among the leading reasons adults in Galveston, TX might require a dental extraction is to prevent an impacted tooth. These are some of the additional routine reasons you might require a tooth extraction:

  • OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
    In many cases, one or more teeth might have to be extracted before an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or classic braces. An orthodontic treatment is meant to move the teeth into their appropriate alignment, which might require extracting one or multiple teeth if there is not enough room so the remaining teeth can fit. Tooth overcrowding is typically addressed with simple extraction.
  • TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
    If you have tooth impaction, it indicates there is some kind of obstruction preventing the tooth from breaking through the gums. An impacted tooth could be impeded by a baby tooth that still hasn't come out on its own, or it could be developing in an abnormal direction and is obstructed by another permanent tooth. Based upon the reason for the impaction, the dentist might recommend a surgical or simple extraction to alleviate discomfort or prevent an infection.
  • EXTREME DECAY
    In cases where a cavity is ignored or not handled promptly, it may eat into the pulp in the tooth. Although a root canal may potentially be performed to save the tooth, it might need to be taken out if the pitting is bad enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can keep the decay and disease from getting into your other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, eventually, your circulatory system.
  • MOLARS
    Your back molars, commonly referred to as the wisdom teeth, will probably need to be extracted. The modern human jaw generally isn't big enough fit these extra teeth, so when they start to grow out of the gums (usually during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might need to perform a surgical extraction. It's important to have the third molars taken out as early as you can, so they don't become infected or impacted. But a small number of individuals never need to get their third molars pulled out. Very rarely, some fortunate people don't get all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!
  • INJURY TO THE TEETH
    Regrettably, injuries can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth could be affected. Although the ideal option is generally to make all efforts to preserve the tooth, it may not be possible. The injury may be caused by a car accident or perhaps a sports or on-the-job incident, but no matter the reason, patients in Galveston, TX really should schedule an appointment with a dental professional if they've experienced a tooth injury. It's possible that the harm isn't visible to a nonprofessional.

RECOVERY TIME AFTER HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
In the days after a tooth extraction, it's necessary to understand and diligently adhere to your dentist’s healing instructions. A simple extraction will generally require less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction, but it is going to depend on every unique case. You could be given a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You might want to go on a soft foods diet for the immediate couple of days following the procedure, while your gums are sore and healing. This is a fantastic chance to indulge in a little ice cream, but you ought to also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You ought to avoid consuming all tobacco products, prior to and following your treatment, since they can impair your capacity to heal properly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic oral rinse until you can go back to flossing and brushing again.

THE SOLUTION TO A HEALTHIER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MAY INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction can be done for a lot of reasons, including to stop decay from traveling throughout the body, to address an impaction, or just to provide your remaining teeth additional space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Galveston is key to obtaining your healthiest, most alluring smile. Contact our team in Galveston, TX to schedule an appointment with our experienced staff to determine if a surgical or simple extraction might be the most effective answer for your new and improved smile.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.