Dental problems need to be addressed in their early stages to ensure that the issue can be resolved. Problems that are not treated soon enough may lead to complications, which in turn can lead to the loss of natural teeth. When a tooth has suffered such extensive damage that no other treatment can save it, a tooth extraction may be needed to prevent the problem from spreading to the surrounding teeth, and to other areas of the mouth.
There are also other instances when a tooth extraction is needed to maintain good oral health, and as a preparation for other treatments (such as orthodontics).
Why Should a Tooth be extracted?
A tooth needs to be extracted if it is so severely damaged that no other dental treatment can be done to save it. Removing the damaged tooth will ensure that the infection or decay will not spread to other teeth and gums, to prevent more serious complications. When the affected tooth is removed, good oral health is preserved and maintained.
Extraction may be done in cases of an impacted wisdom tooth. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it fails to grow out from under the gum line and grows sideways instead – pushing against neighbouring teeth and resulting to extreme pain. An impacted wisdom tooth is also more susceptible to decay and infection, since it is very difficult to clean it given the location from under the gum line. When an infection has already set in, it will need to be treated first before the entire tooth can be removed. Oral surgery is needed to remove the tooth from below the gum line. A gum incision may be needed to gain access to the impacted tooth, depending on its position. The gums will be stitched closed after the tooth removal.
Teeth extraction is sometimes needed as a preparation for an orthodontic treatment, such as the use of dental braces. A single tooth or a few teeth may need to be removed to give way for the rest of the teeth to be moved into a straighter position; without the removal of the specified number of teeth, there will not be enough space for proper alignment to be achieved.
Oral surgery is necessary in cases when the tooth is under the gum line (when the tooth is impacted). The gum incision will give the dentist access to the tooth below the gums; stitches will be used to close the gums after the surgical procedure. If there is no need for a surgical procedure, the affected tooth can be removed by pulling with the use of forceps.
Harry J Williams
