When a dentist tells you that one or more teeth need extraction, you may not understand completely. You might also wonder why, what the alternatives are, and if it will hurt. In the next few blogs, Naperville dentist Dr. Thomas Brown will answer these and other questions centered around tooth extraction. We believe that knowledge is power when it comes to managing your oral health, and we’re always happy to educate patients about oral health issues.
If you’re searching for a dentist who will take time to explain the state of your oral health, as well as treatment options, while listening and responding to your questions and concerns, you need to plan a visit with Dr. Thomas Brown. We invite you to call us now at (630) 296-5985 or schedule online through our website.
Why did your Naperville dentist recommend tooth extraction?
If you’re confused about why you need extraction(s), here are six of the most common circumstances in which Dr. Thomas Brown may recommend tooth removal instead of restoration. At your appointment, feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Peace of mind about your treatment plan is important, and you need to know that we consider tooth extraction a last resort.
Too much decay or damage: Tooth decay, also called dental caries or cavities, is actually a bacterial infection. Bacteria called Streptococcus mutans live in your oral microbiome, the environment in your mouth. These bacteria turn the starches and sugars you eat into acid that erodes tooth enamel by dissolving calcium and phosphorus, the minerals that strengthen enamel. This process is called demineralization, and cavity formation occurs next. Once a cavity burrows into the enamel and dentin of a tooth, you might notice a toothache. Without early treatment with a dental filling or crown. Ultimately, the cavity can infect the pulp inside a tooth’s core and kill the nerve housed there, resulting in a dead tooth. At this point, root canal therapy may be an option to salvage the tooth, but in some cases, extraction is the only path to restore oral health.
Periodontitis: This is the stage of gum disease that can break down gum and bone tissue, the essential structures for holding teeth tightly in the jawbone. Teeth may loosen or fall out, and in some cases they may need extraction.
Note: When periodontal disease is untreated, it advances–it does not reverse without intervention. The early gum disease stage, known as gingivitis, is reversible with consistent daily brushing and flossing, a healthy diet, and professional checkups and cleanings. Periodontitis is a more advanced stage that cannot be reversed. At checkups and cleanings, we evaluate for gum disease and remove the plaque that builds up on teeth and causes gum disease, as well as tartar that irritates the gum tissues.
Risk of infection spreading: Particularly in patients with a weak immune system, dental infection (cavities) can spread and cause serious health implications. In these situations, extraction may be the safest and best option.
Wisdom teeth issues: Those four pesky, huge third molars that erupt in the back of the mouth during a person’s late teens and early 20s can create problems. In some cases, wisdom teeth grow in at an angle, pressing against neighboring teeth, and will not erupt through the gums. In essence, they get stuck, causing pain, and infection may develop as well. Called impacted wisdom teeth, these rascals must be removed to relieve pain and infection, and halt the unintentional pressure on neighboring molars. Over time, the pressure can cause teeth across the entire arch to shift out of alignment.
Wisdom teeth are also notoriously difficult to keep clean, so cavities are common. We recommend wisdom tooth extraction during a person’s late teens or early 20s. While some people’s third molars cause no issues, others encounter significant irritation.
Overcrowding: If your dental arches are too small for all your teeth, the teeth may come in crowded, crooked, or stacked one behind the other. To resolve these issues, extraction in preparation for orthodontic treatment may be a great solution.
Root fractures: When a tooth is cracked on the crown–the white portion you see above the gum line–a restorative dental crown may add the structural integrity necessary to keep the tooth. However, if a crack occurs in or extends into the tooth root, extraction may be unavoidable.
Call Us Today to Schedule with Dr. Thomas Brown, Your Naperville Dentist
Don’t wait until pain or infection results in necessary extraction. Call (630) 296-5985 or schedule online today to meet Dr. Thomas Brown, your trusted Naperville dentist.