It’s always your dentist’s last resort if they need to perform a tooth extraction in McKinney. If it were up to them, they’d save every tooth they could. However, sometimes too much decay has settled, a bad injury damaged the tooth, or another scenario requires them to perform an extraction over another treatment.
If you ever find yourself in the following situations, your dentist is more likely to recommend a tooth extraction to get your oral health back in the right direction.
If the Tooth is Significantly Decayed
In many cases, your dentist in McKinney can restore a tooth by placing dental fillings or dental crowns. These restore the overall function and aesthetic of your teeth. This also prevents future decay from developing. If the structure of the tooth is compromised, then a crown would suffice better than a simple filling. If the tooth is damaged beyond repair, then the dentist will have no choice but to extract it. Not doing so only puts remaining teeth at risk.
When a Tooth Experienced Bad Trauma
One of the most common dental emergencies your dentist sees in the office is an avulsed or damaged tooth, typically from a sporting accident. If the patient wasn’t wearing a protective mouthguard, teeth can easily get cracked, exposing the pulp inside. In some cases, the tooth is too damaged to stay in the socket, meaning no amount of dental restorations would save it. In this case, an extraction is more appropriate.
Gum Disease is Developing
For particularly advanced forms of periodontal disease, the gums can no longer hold teeth in place. This is caused by the bacteria breaking down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in the gums. Once the gums recede and these areas are destroyed, teeth will begin to loosen over time and eventually fall out. Your dentist will remove them before they have a chance to fall out on their own.
Wisdom Teeth Need Removing
Another common reason for tooth extractions is for removing extra teeth. Wisdom teeth are considered to be evolutionary relics and no longer require use. Most patients’ mouths are not able to accommodate extra teeth, therefore requiring the removal of wisdom teeth. Whether they’ve erupted or their hiding underneath the gums, your dentist will remove them if they become an issue. Impacted or infected wisdom teeth require removal by default.
Crowded Teeth That Prevent Orthodontic Treatment
In some cases, patients aren’t able to receive orthodontic treatment because a tooth is blocking the path for proper alignment. If teeth are too big for the mouth, they’ll need removal so other teeth can have room to shift. In other cases, teeth fail to erupt because of the lack of space, causing it to become trapped underneath the gumline.
Not sure if you need a tooth extraction in McKinney? Schedule an appointment with your dentist to confirm which treatment is best for you!
About the Author
Dr. Nathan Coughlin earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. If you need sedation during your tooth extraction, Dr. Coughlin has you covered! To learn more about tooth extractions or about his practice, contact him at (469) 526-4040 or visit his website.