Your dentist wants to help you retain all of your natural teeth for a lifetime. Unfortunately, though, that isn’t always possible. In some cases, it is necessary to remove one or more teeth. If a tooth extraction is ever recommended for you, you can be confident that the procedure will be beneficial. Let’s talk about just a few of the advantages you can enjoy following this treatment.
Relief from Pain
Often, damaged and decayed teeth cause significant pain. The discomfort can interfere with your daily activities, make it impossible for you to enjoy a balanced diet, and put you in an overall bad mood. Removing such a tooth stops it from sending pain signals to your brain. Therefore, one of the top benefits of a tooth extraction is that it can provide almost immediate relief from a toothache.
A Lower Risk of Future Problems
In some cases, tooth removal is recommended as a precautionary measure to prevent future dental problems. This is often true with wisdom teeth, the third molars at the back of the mouth. Most people do not have enough space in their oral cavity to accommodate their wisdom teeth. As a result, they can push other teeth out of alignment. They also increase the risk of decay, cysts, TMJ disorder, and a number of other problems.
Removing your wisdom teeth before they pose a serious threat to your oral health is a wise course of action.
Removing the Source of an Infection
If the innermost layer of a tooth (called the pulp) gets infected, root canal therapy may be able to remove the infected tissue and prevent the need for an extraction. However, that isn’t always possible. In some cases, an infection is so severe that removing the tooth is the smartest choice. The extraction, along with a course of antibiotics, may be just what you need to prevent the infection from spreading and affecting your overall health.
Making Room for Orthodontia
Once in a while, it might be necessary to remove a perfectly healthy tooth. This is sometimes true with orthodontic patients who have extra teeth or severely crowded teeth. Extractions can make room in the mouth for braces and allow the remaining teeth to be repositioned into their proper places, resulting in a more attractive, healthier smile.
Opening the Way for a Stronger Smile
Patients who are already missing some teeth, as well as those with severely weak or worn-down teeth, might choose to undergo extractions so they can get dental implants. For some individuals, implant dentures present a stronger and more functional alternative to their natural teeth.
It’s understandable if you dislike the idea of having one or more teeth removed — but this procedure can be highly beneficial. If your dentist recommends that you undergo it, you can commit to it with confidence.
Meet the Practice
The team of board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons in our practice is proud to provide expert tooth extraction services, including wisdom teeth surgery. If you would like to consult with us about your oral health concerns, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 713-783-5560.