Your teeth perform some essential tasks. They are responsible for biting and chewing food. They control airflow for speech. They provide you with a beautiful smile. They are also crucial for the health of your jawbone. While your teeth are the strongest substance in your body, they can still be faced with damage and decay that can compromise their strength and leave you vulnerable to infections. In most cases, damaged teeth can be restored. If the damage is too severe, though, the teeth may need to be extracted. The Elmwood Dental Group LLC can help.Effects of Damaged Teeth
Tooth damage can happen for many reasons. You might suffer damage because of a car accident, an accident while playing sports, or a fall. Your teeth may suffer decay. When your teeth are damaged, getting treatment right away is essential, even if the damage does not seem all that severe at the time. If damage goes untreated, it may worsen over time, leaving the tooth vulnerable to splitting or cracking. Bacteria can enter into the tooth, leading to a painful infection. Infections not only affect your oral health, but they can impact your overall health as well.
How Do I Know if I Need an Extraction?
In many cases, damaged teeth can be restored. This may be done with a filling, a crown, or a root canal. However, if the damage is beyond repair, attempting to repair the affected tooth can result in significant complications. As a result, an extraction becomes necessary. Reasons for extractions include:
| • | Damage below the gum line. This includes fractures that start in the crown and extend below the gum line as well as fractures that are solely below the gum line. |
| • | Teeth that are split in half. |
| • | Shattered teeth. |
| • | Severely decayed teeth. |
You may also require a tooth extraction if you have impacted wisdom teeth or you need to undergo orthodontic treatment to correct overcrowding. Following these types of extractions, your teeth do not need to be replaced.
Simple Extractions
There are two types of tooth extractions. Simple tooth extraction is, as the name suggests, a fairly simple procedure. The procedure is done under a local anesthetic, so you do not feel any discomfort. We begin by separating the gums and periodontal ligament from the tooth using a tool called an elevator. Next, forceps are used to move the tooth back and forth to widen the ligament and loosen the tooth. Finally, the tooth is lifted free from the socket.
Surgical Extractions
Surgical tooth extraction is often used in more complex situations. This includes situations such as a tooth that is broken or shattered or an impacted wisdom tooth. A surgical extraction is done under a local anesthetic.
Sedation may also be provided so that you can remain comfortable during the procedure. It begins with small incisions created in your gums to expose the roots of the affected teeth and the surrounding bone. Next, the tooth is removed. To completely extract the tooth, it may need to be broken and removed in sections. You may also require a small amount of bone removal. Once the tooth has been removed, and the socket is cleaned, the surgical wounds are sutured closed.
When damaged teeth are beyond repair, an extraction followed by a tooth replacement is the next best solution. If you have suffered tooth damage, contact The Elmwood Dental Group LLC at (833) 432-1457 to schedule your appointment today.