Maintaining a healthy smile requires constant brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist. If a tooth becomes damaged or decayed, you will need dental work to fix it. However, sometimes a tooth becomes too damaged to fix, so a tooth extraction procedure becomes necessary.
Tooth extraction is when one or more teeth are removed from your mouth. Extractions are never the first option that an oral health professional seeks to use, but they are sometimes vital for preserving the overall health of your teeth and gums. So why would you need an extraction? There are several reasons.
Maintaining a healthy smile requires constant brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist. If a tooth becomes damaged or decayed, you will need dental work to fix it. However, sometimes a tooth becomes too damaged to fix, so a tooth extraction procedure becomes necessary.
Tooth extraction is when one or more teeth are removed from your mouth. Extractions are never the first option that an oral health professional seeks to use, but they are sometimes vital for preserving the overall health of your teeth and gums. So why would you need an extraction? There are several reasons.
When your teeth grow, they do so in a neat row. However, there are instances where a tooth grows at a severe angle, causing it to interfere with other teeth around it or does not properly grow in at all. Impaction occurs when a tooth is blocked while growing. An impacted tooth is usually blocked by another tooth or the gums. This condition most commonly occurs with wisdom teeth, as they typically don't have enough room in the mouth to develop normally.
When your teeth grow, they do so in a neat row. However, there are instances where a tooth grows at a severe angle, causing it to interfere with other teeth around it or does not properly grow in at all. Impaction occurs when a tooth is blocked while growing. An impacted tooth is usually blocked by another tooth or the gums. This condition most commonly occurs with wisdom teeth, as they typically don't have enough room in the mouth to develop normally.
Teeth are like any other body part in that there is no cure for decay. Once a tooth decays, it may be possible to remove the decayed portion and shore up the rest of the tooth with a crown or infection. However, if the decay becomes too extensive, the entire tooth must be removed to prevent it from affecting the surrounding teeth.
Bacteria from plaque and tartar can also adversely affect your gums. As this bacteria spreads, it can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, or periodontitis, an inflammation of the bones and soft tissues. As these structures deteriorate, removing the tooth as the source of the bacteria becomes necessary to preserve the rest of your teeth.
Contact sports, falls, car accidents, and chewing tough foods or objects can damage your teeth. Minor cracks and chips can be repaired or covered without issue, but significant trauma is more complicated. Depending on the nature of the trauma and how much of your tooth breaks, your tooth may need to be extracted.
Contact sports, falls, car accidents, and chewing tough foods or objects can damage your teeth. Minor cracks and chips can be repaired or covered without issue, but significant trauma is more complicated. Depending on the nature of the trauma and how much of your tooth breaks, your tooth may need to be extracted.
There are two types of teeth extractions.
Unless you’re having a tooth extracted as a part of your orthodontic treatment, you’ll be left with a gap in your smile. Replacing missing teeth is essential to preserve your facial structure and keep the remaining teeth from shifting. Common tooth replacement options are:
Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to replace sets of teeth. Complete dentures are used to replace all of the teeth and some of the soft tissue in the mouth. Partial dentures are used to replace a section of teeth in the mouth. Depending on the patient's need, dentures can be secured with dental implants or removable.
Dental implants are artificial teeth anchored by metal fixtures surgically attached to your jawbone. These fixtures are implanted in gums where natural tooth roots have been extracted. The gum tissue and jawbone heal over the implanted fixture in a process called osseointegration, which provides greater stability for the implant.
Dental bridges work by using the healthy surrounding teeth to support one or more artificial teeth in between. The supporting teeth are fitted with dental crowns that are attached to the replacement tooth, also called a pontic. This solution is ideal for patients currently managing periodontal disease.
Dr. Jeff Kesecker and the team at Legacy Surgery understand how important it is to have a straight and healthy smile. That's why we offer a full range of oral surgery techniques, from implants to facial reconstruction, all designed to restore your smile. And we focus on patient comfort, providing the best possible care and attention to your needs.
Get in touch with us to schedule an appointment.
