Dentists use advanced procedures to save teeth which would have been lost a few decades ago. But sometimes, when a tooth is severely compromised, it just can’t be saved. In this case, extraction is the best and healthiest option.
When might Dr. Dalessandro recommend an extraction? Conditions which call for extraction could include:
- Severe Gum Disease
The CDC estimates that almost 50% of those aged 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease, with the number rising to over 70% of adults aged 65 and older. Serious gum disease, or periodontitis, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Periodontitis can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria multiply and infection develops. Left untreated, infection destroys the connective tissue and bone which hold the teeth in place. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out. When tooth loss is inevitable, extraction can be a healthier option than waiting for the tooth to fall out.
- Serious Infection
When infection reaches the pulp inside the tooth, immediate treatment is necessary. An infected tooth will never get better on its own, and the infection can spread from the tooth to the surrounding gums and bone, creating a pus-filled abscess. When caught early enough, a root canal procedure can save your tooth. If root canal treatment isn’t possible or infection keeps recurring, extraction can be the best option to prevent infection from spreading and destroying gum and bone tissue.
- Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth have no room to erupt, they may become completely impacted, lodged in the bone and gum tissue. Or they may begin to break through the gums but aren’t able to erupt completely (partial impaction), making them difficult to clean and vulnerable to infection and decay. When wisdom teeth begin to erupt without sufficient space, they can move horizontally or diagonally, putting destructive pressure on the roots of neighboring molars. Extracting wisdom teeth is a proactive measure for promoting long-term dental health.
- Extensive Cracks or Fractures
Caught early, cracks in the crown of a tooth or small fractures in a tooth root might be treated with root canal therapy or endodontic surgery. When a crack in the crown of the tooth extends below the gumline, or when a vertical fracture begins in the root of the tooth and spreads upward to the crown, the tooth often cannot be saved.
- Extensive Decay
When a tooth has experienced mild to moderate decay, your dentist can remove the decayed portion, clean the area, and restore the tooth with a filling or a crown. If the decay is too extensive, there won’t be sufficient healthy tooth structure left for a restoration, and extraction will be necessary.
- Trauma
Often a dislodged tooth can be restored to its place in the mouth when the injury is treated early enough and the damage is limited. When a tooth or its surrounding bone and ligaments are so badly damaged from trauma that the tooth can’t be reimplanted or restored with endodontic or surgical treatment, extraction is the healthiest choice.
When advanced gum disease or other conditions make extraction necessary, our team at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics will provide expert treatment to protect your oral health. Dr. Dalessandro and our team have the specialized skill and experience needed to:
- gently extract the tooth
- treat and restore surrounding gum and bone tissue as needed
- provide you with sedation options before the procedure
- provide options for pain management after the procedure
- give you detailed instructions for aftercare
- suggest follow-up options such as tooth implants, which can restore your smile with a replacement which looks and functions like a natural tooth
Extraction is never your first choice, or your periodontist’s! Proactive tooth and gum care help save teeth for a lifetime. But when an extraction is necessary for your oral health, everyone at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics in Hoffman Estates, IL will ensure that you receive expert professional care.