Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, unfortunately, it is sometimes impossible to repair a severely broken or diseased tooth. In such cases, the tooth should be removed or it may eventually become a source of pain, infection, and a threat to the patient’s health.
When a tooth cannot be rehabilitated by any existing dental techniques, it is called non-restorable. A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:
- Severe decay
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Infection or abscess
- Inadequate space
- Poorly positioned teeth
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Impacted teeth
Before a tooth is removed, we will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to a specialist called an oral surgeon.
A certain amount of discomfort is to be expected following an extraction. After a routine extraction, discomfort is normally completely gone within two to three days. If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, call our office immediately.