Tooth Extractions: Are They Really Necessary?

If your tooth cannot be repaired through dental methods, it might need to be extracted. Learn the reasoning from a dentist in Ashburn WA here.

Did you know that out of all the types of dental procedures available, tooth extractions are one of the most common in the United States? Despite how far dental treatments have come, there is a certain point when a tooth cannot be repaired and needs to be removed by your dentist in Ashburn, VA. But at what point is a tooth extraction necessary, you might ask?



If you're asking yourself this question and if you are worried about getting your own tooth pulled, this is the article you need to read. Here, you'll learn all about which kind of dental problems require tooth removal and which don't. First, let's explore one of the most common reasons for tooth removal: tooth decay.

Tooth decay is a common problem and has everything to do with ignoring common dental health practices. Many people know that by not brushing your teeth, you can get cavities, but more serious problems can arise as well. The reason is because of particular strains of bacteria that live in your mouth.

Oral bacteria love to feast on sugar, whether it be sugar from a piece of candy or sugar contained in the carbohydrates of pasta or potatoes. When you eat food and you don't brush your teeth, those food particles will remain stuck to the surface of your teeth as well as between your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth will quickly flock to these pieces of food and devour them, producing acid as a byproduct. 

This acid is not harsh enough to feel in your mouth, but nevertheless, it can cause a lot of damage to your teeth, specifically to your tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is among the strongest tissues in your body and it functions to produce the more tender tissues inside your teeth. It also protects the nerves and blood vessels within your teeth. 

Over time, the acid produced by bacteria will break down this enamel, making your teeth more sensitive and delicate. If you continue to ignore dental hygiene practices, this decay will completely destroy your enamel and leave the more delicate tissues of your teeth exposed. Exposed teeth can be very painful and may even increase the risk of developing an infection. 



At a certain point, the course of tooth decay will not leave enough of your tooth behind for it to be repaired. Trying to repair such a decayed tooth may also be dangerous due to the possibility of infection. The best choice would be to remove such a tooth.

Tooth Extraction Due to Damage

While tooth decay is a type of dental damage, there are other types of damage such as chipped or cracked teeth. In many cases, this type of damage will benefit from tooth repair, but there are some cases in which the damage is too severe for your dentist, Ashburn, VA, to fix.

People who play sports often suffer a lot of dental damage which is why they wear mouth guards. However, even with mouth guards, or when playing sports casually, dental accidents can happen. Getting hit in the face with a ball or someone accidentally kicking you in the teeth can cause various severities of dental damage. 

In some cases, an entire tooth may be knocked out of your mouth as a result of damage. Fortunately, as long as you find your tooth and get to the dentist as fast as possible, you should be able to keep your tooth. but what if half of your tooth or more broke off?

For small chips, there is no need for dental extraction. Dental crowns or bonding can easily fix small chips. This is because there is plenty more tooth to work with. 



On the other hand, if the majority of your tooth; except for the root, has been knocked out of your mouth, you may have to get the rest of the tooth removed. This is because the nerves may be out in the open and cause a lot of tooth pain or the risk for developing an infection may be high. Fortunately, the removal process should be simple and fast and likely won't require the removal of gum tissue or bone.

Extracting Teeth for Other Reasons

Sometimes, tooth extraction has nothing to do with tooth decay or tooth damage. Instead, it might be necessary if you are having problems with tooth development. The removal of wisdom teeth is a common example of this problem. 

Many people don't have a lot of room left in their mouths after all of their teeth have erupted. This means that there will likely be a problem when it's time for wisdom teeth to erupt. Since the wisdom teeth won't have a lot of space to erupt, they may start to grow into your molars. 

This can be a painful problem and it can also interfere with the position of your other teeth. In severe cases, it can lead to teeth crowding and infection. Wisdom teeth may also attempt to grow in sideways or at uncomfortable angles, ultimately interfering with the rest of your teeth. 

Wisdom teeth can increase your risk of tooth decay as well since they are difficult to clean. In any of these cases, wisdom teeth removal is often the best choice. If your wisdom teeth have already erupted, removing them should not be too difficult.



However, if they remain under the gum line, you may need to visit an oral surgeon to get them removed. 

Visiting the Dentist In Ashburn VA for Tooth Extractions

By the end of this article, you should know all about when a tooth extraction from your dentist in Ashburn, VA, is necessary. While it's often preferable to save a tooth, there are plenty of cases where it's healthier to have it removed. 



If you think you might need to have a tooth removed, contact us here.