La
Plata
You might expect your dentist to recommend an extraction if you have an overly damaged or decayed tooth or have had severe or persistent pain. In these circumstances, removing the source of the dilemma is often the only way to provide relief and prevent the problem from progressing.
However, many people are surprised to learn that extraction can sometimes be necessary, even if you’re not currently experiencing any discomfort. Continue reading to learn 3 additional instances in which your provider might suggest pulling a troublesome tooth!
Example #1: Removing Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria that contribute to plaque accumulation on your gumline and wear down your enamel. If they penetrate your tooth, they can infect the tender pulp inside. If the sensitive nerves are irritated or inflamed, it can cause serious throbbing that has you calling your dentist for help.
If this pain suddenly dissipates, you might think the issue has resolved itself and its safe to cancel your appointment. Unfortunately, it’s more likely that the disease progressed to the point that it completely killed your nerve so that it no longer sends pain signals to your brain. Your dentist must remove the troubled tooth to prevent disease and decay from spreading to neighboring teeth, your gum tissue, or jawbone.
Example #2: Relieve Overcrowding
Did you know that teeth pressed too closely together can detract from your confidence as well as your dental condition? Not only is a crooked smile considered less attractive, but if your pearly whites overlap, it’s harder to brush and floss them thoroughly. This increases the risk of cavities, injuries, or gum disease.
Your dentist has solutions that can realign your grin, like Invisalign. However, if your jaw is too small to comfortably house all your teeth, they may need to extract one or more to allow your orthodontics to successfully straighten your smile.
Example #3: Ensure Restoration Success
It may seem counterintuitive, but your dentist might also recommend an extraction if you’ve already lost most of your natural teeth and want to be fitted with an appropriate restoration, like dentures, to replace them. This versatile prosthetic relies on a tight suction against your gums to remain in place, and it can’t form the bond if there are teeth in the way.
If you have one or two pearly whites getting in the way of well-fitted dentures, then your provider will likely need to remove them.
As you can see, there are several good reasons you might require an extraction even if you’re not hurting!
About the Practice
At La Plata Dental, you and your family benefit from two dedicated dentists with 35+ years of experience. Dr. Mark Hochman and Dr. Andrew Betaharon provide a full array of services to people of all ages, so whether you need basic preventative care or need to have a troublesome tooth removed, they can help. They offer dental sedation so that you feel calm and comfortable the entire time, then utilize state-of-the-art technology to deliver accurate, long-lasting results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (240) 349-2439.