Under normal circumstances, you can rely on your dentist to provide high-quality services to help prevent or treat different oral issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or infections. However, if you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be fixed with other services, like fillings or a root canal, they may have no choice but to extract and replace it.
In such cases, removing your troublesome tooth can provide advantages that help protect and preserve your smile when no other options can feasibly do so. Read on to learn about 3 benefits of having an injured or aching tooth extracted!
Benefit #1: Alleviate Pain
One common reason dentists recommend extracting a tooth is to relieve associated throbbing caused by significant decay, injury, infection, or overcrowding. Although a root canal can sometimes clear away diseased material and reduce aches in an affected tooth, some teeth may be too damaged for this treatment to be realistic or effective.
In these instances, your provider might recommend removing the root of the problem to provide some much-needed relief once they’ve examined your condition and have determined that no other treatments are likely to help. This is typically offered as a last resort, but can sometimes be the only option to help patients feel more comfortable.
Benefit #2: Make Space
Reducing discomfort isn’t the only advantage of undergoing a tooth extraction. Your dentist might also suggest this service to address overcrowding that can cause dental problems. For example, if you have teeth that are pressed so closely together that they overlap, you might struggle to brush or floss all their surfaces, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Overcrowding can also contribute to a bite misalignment or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders that can be improved by making enough space for all your teeth to fit comfortably. Tooth extractions might also be used to help ensure that other treatments, such as getting dentures or Invisalign, to be successful.
Benefit #3: Prevent Additional Damage
Did you know that cavities are contagious? If one tooth is severely infected, the issue might spread to neighboring teeth, penetrate your gums, or even interfere with your jawbone. Sometimes, oral diseases can also enter the bloodstream and travel throughout your body, triggering chronic inflammation that increases the likelihood of developing other medical concerns, such as sepsis, cardiovascular problems, or stroke.
If your dentist is unable to treat a dental abscess, infection, or disease, they might need to pull the impacted tooth to help protect your oral and overall well-being.
If you’re unsure why your dentist has recommended this procedure, you can find out by asking them directly. Most providers are happy to share as much information as needed for you to feel confident moving forward.
About the Practice
At My Riverdale Dentist, you and your family benefit from two dentists who are dedicated to helping you build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Cumberbatch and Dr. Lu share more than a decade of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including tooth extractions, using advanced technology to meet the unique needs of people of all ages. If you are concerned about a problematic tooth, you can request an appointment on the website or call the office at (301) 927-8478.