When a Tooth Has To Come Out
With proper care, and barring accidents, your natural teeth will last a lifetime. That’s a strong argument in favor of taking care of your teeth. Sometimes, though, a tooth has to come out, and if you’re faced with that situation, count on Dr. Dores of Dores Dental in Longmeadow, MA.
Reasons for Tooth Extraction
Almost every dentist will do everything in his or her power to save a natural tooth. Sometimes, though, a tooth can become damaged beyond repair. Teeth with large fillings, for instance, can weaken to the point that fractures leave the tooth too weak to support a dental crown. Infection can sometimes gain so strong a foothold that a root canal won’t solve the problem.
Don’t Fear the Root Canal
If you’re suffering from a dental infection, a root canal is usually the first treatment consideration. Today’s root canals are a far cry from the horror stories you may have read or been told about. Most people consider a root canal no more difficult than getting a filling.
Dr. Dores will perform a careful examination to determine whether a root canal procedure is the right treatment for your particular situation. During a root canal, the infected pulp and the nerve inside your tooth is extracted. Additional steps are taken to ensure that every trace of infection is removed and the tooth is sealed. A dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth completes the procedure.
But if the infection is too extensive, or the tooth won’t support a crown, extraction may be indicated.
Advanced Gum Disease
Gum disease threatens more than the health of your gums and your teeth. Research is linking to periodontitis, or gum disease, to a growing list of potentially serious health conditions:
- Heart disease
- Endocarditis
- Lung problems
- Diabetes
- Various cancers such as colorectal, kidney, and blood cancers
- Alzheimer’s disease
If extensive gum disease is present, extracting the affected teeth – in some severe cases, all the teeth – is the best option.
Dental Implants
If a tooth has to be extracted, it can often be replaced by a dental implant. Dental implants are small, extremely strong screws made of titanium. The implant itself is inserted into the bone beneath the missing tooth. The bone fuses to the implant, which essentially replaces the missing tooth root. A dental restoration – a solid crown for a single tooth – is attached firmly to the implant and functions just like your natural tooth. Multiple implants can support a dental bridge or even an entire arch of missing teeth.
People who have lost many teeth sometimes choose to have the rest extracted. That allows the dentist to replace all of the person’s teeth with implant-supported or implant-retained dentures.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are frequently extracted to avoid crowding the existing teeth or because the tooth isn’t coming in correctly. A wisdom tooth that comes in at the wrong angle can become lodged in soft tissue, which can lead to pain, swelling, infection, or worse.
We’re Here for All Your Dental Needs
Whatever your situation, count on Dr. Dores to determine the best course of action for any dental issues. He makes every effort to preserve natural teeth, but he’ll also let you know when the cost of repairing a tooth outweighs the benefits of extracting it.
Call our Longmeadow, MA office at 413-241-3995 to schedule a consultation. You can also use our convenient online form.