Tooth Extractions

No one wants to lose a tooth, but sometimes tooth extractions are necessary. At Jeff Kindseth DDS, we do everything we can to avoid removing teeth, but there are instances that warrant a tooth removal. But while there are certain situations that often lead to tooth extractions, every patient is unique. For some patients, tooth removal may not be necessary and other treatment options may suffice to fix whatever ails the mouth and gums. If you’re concerned that you may need to have a tooth removed, but you’re not sure, the best way to find out is to make an appointment for an evaluation.

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is a dental procedure that culminates in the removal of a tooth. Healthy teeth have roots that are embedded in an alveolus or socket. In order to successfully remove a tooth, it’s important to remove not just the part that you see above the gum line, but also the roots that lie below it. For this reason, tooth extractions are typically performed by an oral surgeon, however, general dentists and periodontists can also remove teeth as part of their core skill sets.

At Jeff Kindseth DDS, we do everything we can to save your natural teeth and avoid doing an extraction, but when tooth extraction is necessary, we ensure that the procedure is as painless as possible. The procedure begins by numbing the area being treated. During the removal of a tooth, we do everything we can to make sure patients remain comfortable.

Types of Tooth Extractions

There are two different types of extractions that may be performed depending on the patient’s issues and the reasons behind the removal of the tooth.

Simple Tooth Extractions

Simple tooth extractions can be done on teeth that are visible above the gum line. Typically, these types of extractions are done under local anesthesia.

Surgical Tooth Extractions

The surgical removal of a tooth is usually necessary if it isn’t possible to see the tooth above the gum line. This can occur if the tooth hasn’t fully erupted or if the tooth has been broken off below the gum line. Surgical extractions involve incisions in the soft tissues of the gums covering the tooth. In some instances, the tooth may be broken into pieces in order to facilitate its removal. In most cases, surgical tooth extractions are done under general anesthesia.

5 Reasons Why a Tooth Extraction May Be Necessary

At Jeff Kindseth DDS, we only remove teeth if there are no other options available to restore the patient’s oral health, but sometimes extractions are necessary.

All patients have two sets of teeth: milk teeth and permanent teeth. The milk teeth are also known as “baby teeth”. They’re the first set of teeth that erupt in the mouth during childhood. When these teeth finally fall out, a second set of teeth, the permanent teeth, come in to replace them. The permanent teeth are meant to last throughout the patient’s lifetime. Below are examples of common reasons why teeth may need to be removed:

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is an infection in the gum tissues as well as the periodontal ligaments, the alveolar bone, and the other structures that surround and support the teeth. The early stages of periodontal disease are a swelling of the gums or gingivitis. As the infection progresses, it starts to move into the ligaments and alveolar bone. Sometimes, it’s possible to treat gingivitis and periodontal disease and at Jeff Kindseth DDS, we attempt to resolve the infection before extracting the teeth, but if the infection is too serious, removal of teeth may be necessary not just for good oral health, but also for the patient’s general well-being.

Tooth Decay

If a tooth decays to the point where its center or pulp is affected, removal of the tooth may be necessary. A root canal procedure can sometimes be used to treat the infection, but severe tooth decay and infection can lead to serious issues if the problem is not corrected. In that case, tooth extraction may be necessary to keep the infection from spreading.

Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that is trying to erupt, but that has been blocked from coming out. Wisdom teeth are often impacted. Removal of an impacted tooth may be necessary in order to keep it from damaging the other teeth surrounding it. Impaction can lead to infection which can lead to more dental issues. And at Jeff Kindseth DDS, we may recommend the removal of a tooth to avoid overcrowding the other teeth in the mouth. Overcrowding of teeth can lead to orthodontic issues and the need for further treatments. In these cases, it would be best to remove the impacted tooth in order to maintain the patient’s smile and avoid the need for braces or other treatments to realign the teeth.

Accidents

A car accident or any kind of trauma to the face may necessitate the removal of teeth in order to restore oral health and the aesthetics of the patient’s smile. Preserving the patient’s teeth is always the most desirable option using tools such as bonding, crowns, veneers, or bridges. But in some cases, it simply may not be possible to save the tooth. In that case, a dental extraction will be necessary. When all the teeth must be removed due to damage, often they can be restored using dental implants. Every situation is different when it comes to restoring the patient’s smile following an accident. Tooth extractions that can’t be avoided are often done in order to make it possible to use other restorative treatments to recreate a pleasing smile.

Discolored, chipped, or cracked teeth

Though a crown, bridge, or other types of dental treatment that preserves the natural tooth may be possible, teeth that are chipped, stained, or cracked may need to be removed in some cases in order to restore the patient’s appearance and dental health. Again, every situation is unique, but when tooth removal emerges as the most viable option, other treatments will likely provide an effective restorative outcome.