Reasons That Tooth Extraction May Be Necessary

Though permanent teeth (when properly cleaned and maintained) are inherently strong enough to last for decades, certain situations arise in which one or more of these teeth must be removed.

Severe Tooth Damage

One of the most common reasons for extraction is based upon irreparable damage to a tooth. This may include one or more of the following circumstances:

• A tooth is affected by extensive decay
• The tooth is fractured so severely that it cannot be repaired
• A root canal is needed but is not possible or practical
• A crack or break in the tooth provides the dentist with reason to believe that the condition will worsen if the tooth is not extracted

Teeth Affected By Gum Disease

A tooth or group of teeth that have been affected by aggressive periodontitis or other periodontal diseases are often damaged to such an extent that they must be removed. As a result of the diminishing quality of the bone and gums surrounding the tooth, it may become loose and prone to shifting. In these cases, extraction is often the best option to avoid further damage and tooth loss.

Nonfunctional or Malpositioned Teeth

Nonfunctional teeth are defined as teeth that serve little to no purpose to the patient. In certain situations, these teeth may actually prove to be detrimental, as they may cause crowding of other teeth or pain and irritation to the dental patient. Under these circumstances, nonfunctional teeth may be removed. A lone wisdom tooth is often deemed nonfunctional.

Malpositioned teeth can also cause crowding and the eventual drifting of other teeth. Impacted teeth are an example of malpositioning, as these teeth are not in a position in which normal eruption through the gum is possible. Surgical extraction of these teeth often helps alleviate pressure and pain and can prevent overcrowding of teeth throughout the rest of the mouth.

Preparing the Mouth for Braces

Because the goal of orthodontic treatment is the ultimate alignment of the teeth, it is sometimes necessary to extract teeth in preparation for braces. If the mouth is overly crowded before orthodontic procedures begin, the ability of the braces to effectively straighten the teeth is often considerably diminished.

Risk of Infection

Because bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream, oral health affects the entire body. If a tooth is severely decayed and infected, an extraction may be necessary to prevent illness in other areas of the body. This is especially true in cases of pregnant women, individuals with compromised immune systems or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Following certain extractions, dental implants may be offered as an option for replacing missing teeth.

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