Most extraction of teeth, other than third molars (wisdom teeth), is due to caries (cavities) that have done significant damage to the tooth structure and have rendered the tooth non-restorable or, at least, a poor candidate for restoration. Other reasons include periodontal disease, failing endodontic treatment, retained primary (baby) teeth, supernumerary (extra) teeth, root fracture or root resorption.
Caries may also lead to infection of the pulp of the tooth, which may then become a dental abscess or cause irreversible pulpitis (permanent damaged nerves within the tooth). In both cases, the treatment is either root canal therapy or extraction of the tooth. If there is enough tooth structure and the tooth has good periodontal health (gum tissue health), then root canal therapy may be advisable. Our office does not perform root canal therapy so if this is the case, we would refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in the treatment of the dental pulp. If root canal therapy cannot be done or is not a desired treatment, then extraction is the only remaining option.
Periodontal disease, if advanced, is another reason for extraction. Periodontal disease can often be treated so referral to a periodontist, who specializes in gums, may be considered. Periodontal disease has a link to heart disease, so if you are diagnosed with this problem, you should seek treatment or get the affected teeth extracted.
Keeping a diseased tooth in place without treatment can lead to a local destruction of bone, damage to the adjacent teeth structure and support and, maybe, even damage to distant organs due to bacteria or their toxins entering the bloodstream.
When a tooth has been extracted, it can leave potential problems. You may experience changes in speech, changes in the way you eat food, and even bone loss in the area where the tooth was extracted. Loss of a tooth can force you to favor the other side of your mouth for chewing, which can overload the teeth and cause a different set of problems. Loss of a tooth can lead to movement of adjacent teeth and opposing teeth, which can lead to gaps between the teeth and create food traps (area where food gets stuck), and disharmony of the bite because the upper and lower teeth no longer join properly.
Many people are self-conscious about missing teeth in their smile. Smiling plays a major role in your overall happiness and health. For these reasons, it is important to consider the options for tooth replacement and smile restoration.
Implants are the highest-quality restoration option for a single tooth. It feels, looks, and functions like a natural tooth. Learn more about implants here.
A traditional bridge is a dental prosthetic which is connected to the adjacent teeth and holds a crown in the place where the extracted tooth once was.
An implant-supported bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, except instead of attaching to the adjacent natural teeth, it is attached to two implants that are placed on either side.
Dentures are a full single piece prosthetic used to replace a full arch of teeth. They are removable and rely on a suction seal to remain in place, which is why they may tend to come out or slide around over time.
Similar to standard dentures, implant supported dentures are a single piece prosthetic used to replace a full arch of teeth. They are also removable but are made more secure by being attached to two implants.
All-on-X are by far the highest-quality restoration option for a full arch prosthetic. They consist of a single piece of overdenture that is securely fastened using four implants. They look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Learn more about All-on-X here.
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