Tooth Extractions
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An extraction of a tooth is occasionally required. A baby tooth may occasionally have crooked or protruding roots that prevent it from falling out normally, necessitating extraction in order to create room for the eruption of the permanent tooth. In some cases, a tooth’s level of decay may be so severe that it puts the nearby teeth at risk of decay, in which case your doctor may advise extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant. A tooth may also need to be removed for reasons including an infection, orthodontic treatment, or issues with a wisdom tooth.
If it is decided that a tooth needs to be extracted, your dentist may do the treatment during a routine checkup or may require another appointment. Each tooth has a “tooth socket” in your jawbone that houses the root of the tooth. A ligament holds the tooth firmly in place. Your dentist must widen the socket and detach the tooth from the ligament holding it in place in order to extract a tooth. Even though this treatment is normally completed relatively quickly, it’s vital to discuss with your doctor any sedation preferences or worries you may have.
After a tooth is extracted, the surrounding teeth may move, which might affect your ability to chew or the way your jaw joint works. Your dentist might advise using a bone graft and implant to replace the extracted tooth in order to prevent these problems.
