Being told you need a tooth extracted is never fun, but at Blu Dental & Wellness, we only recommend one when other treatment efforts are not an option. After all, we believe in saving teeth!
But there are some instances when your Marysville dentist, Dr. Clinton Timmerman, may recommend a tooth extraction to preserve the health of the rest of your smile.
#1 A Tooth Broken at or Below the Gumline
In most cases, when a patient breaks a tooth, we can repair it with a “dental restoration,” usually a crown, to stabilize the tooth and absorb some of the force of chewing. Opting for a dental crown means we protect the root structure that gives your smile stability.
Dental crowns come in many materials, but most patients prefer tooth-colored options because they blend nicely with the rest of their smiles.
#2 Severe Infection or Decay
If the tooth or gums surrounding the tooth are severely infected, and root canal treatment cannot solve the issue, extracting the tooth promptly can help protect the other teeth and keep the infection from spreading.
#3 Problematic Wisdom Teeth
Not all wisdom teeth (third molars) become problematic, but many do, which is why having wisdom teeth removed is almost a rite of passage for teens and young adults.
As your child develops, we will monitor the wisdom teeth and can usually predict whether they need to be removed.
#4 To Prepare for Orthodontic Treatment
Some people have more teeth than their jaws can contain, so removing teeth prior to orthodontic treatment is fairly common. However, early interceptive orthodontics can eliminate the need for tooth extraction.
#5 A Non-Responsive Tooth
If you have had a root canal or root canals on a tooth and it keeps getting infected, sometimes the best course of action is to remove it, allow the body to heal, and opt for a viable tooth replacement option instead.
Do You Think You Need a Tooth Extraction?
If you think you need an extraction and are looking for a gentle dentist in the 98270 zip area, we warmly welcome new patients and will give you the information you need to decide if a tooth extraction is suitable for your oral health needs.