If you are missing teeth, dental implants are an oral health solution with the look and function of natural teeth. Although it may seem contradictory, sometimes a dentist needs to extract a tooth before an implant is placed. There are numerous reasons why a tooth may need to be removed, but the overall goal is to improve overall oral health and prevent future decay.
A dentist will do whatever possible to save natural teeth. However, there are times when a tooth is too damaged to be saved, and, if this is the case, an extraction can be better than keeping the tooth.
Most cavities can be treated with a filling. For larger cavities, a crown may be recommended. However, if the cavity is extremely large and destroys the majority of the tooth's structures, neither a filling or a crown will suffice, and an extraction is recommended.
An injury or accident, such as a car crash or a sports collision, can cause significant damage to a tooth or multiple teeth. In rarer instances, an injury may cause damage to the jaw. In both cases, extraction can become necessary.
Teeth can crack due to grinding or chewing on too-hard substances such as ice. If the tooth has a small crack, the dentist may be able to save it. However, a major fracture, especially if it involves the root or runs vertically, is usually unsalvageable.
As well as damage, another common reason for extraction is overcrowding in the mouth. Overcrowding can cause the teeth to become misaligned, and the overlapping makes it difficult to brush or floss properly, which increases the chances of decay. Extraction sometimes is performed before orthodontic work so there is room for the teeth straightening.
Unlike the other teeth, an impacted one is typically not visible. An impaction means that the tooth does not, or is unable to, surface through the gums. This tooth may be in a position that prevents it from emerging, or it may be blocked by a lingering baby tooth, another permanent tooth, or a gum cyst. While wisdom teeth are most commonly impacted, other teeth can be as well and may need dental implants once extracted.
In many cases of tooth extraction, the placement of an implant is recommended. If a missing tooth is not replaced, over time the neighboring teeth begin to shift and the jawbone begins to lose density. Replacing these gaps with dental implants helps preserve the underlying bone. Implants also provide a stable foundation, which makes it easy to eat and speak like normal. If cared for properly, an implant may last a lifetime.
If you have teeth that are severely damaged, a tooth extraction may be recommended. To replace the gap, dental implants provide stability and natural-looking teeth.
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