There are times when a tooth, though meant to last a lifetime, becomes badly damaged. This damage sometimes is beyond repair, requiring a dentist or oral surgeon to remove the tooth. There are several reasons why a dentist will remove a tooth, but here are some of the more common reasons:
Infection or decay
Sometimes when damage or decay reaches to the pulp of your tooth, where most nerve and blood vessels reside, the bacteria from the decay can cause an infection. Typically this can be corrected by your dentist with a root canal surgery, but if the infection becomes too severe, the tooth may need to be extracted to prevent the infection from spreading.
Overcrowding
There are times a dentist will pull a tooth to prepare the mouth for proper alignment, especially if your teeth are too big for your mouth. In addition, a tooth may be pulled if there isn’t enough room for it to break through the gums. This is typically what happens with wisdom teeth, requiring them to be removed.
Risk of infection
When your immune system is compromised, the health of your teeth is important to your doctors. If you have a particular tooth that may be at risk of infection, it may be recommended for your tooth to be removed. If you are experiencing periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend tooth extraction for teeth that are loosened.
Your teeth are important to us. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment with our dentist today at [phone]!