Healthy teeth can last a lifetime, and dentists will always try to preserve natural teeth when they can, but there are some situations when extracting a tooth can be the best option.
Extraction may be recommended for teeth that are beyond repair, impacted wisdom teeth or other teeth that are causing difficulties. Your dentist will make sure you know all of your options and the possible risks so you can decide what’s best for you.
Read on to learn more about why tooth extraction is sometimes needed or contact us to talk to our Gold Coast dentists today.
Severe tooth decay
Teeth can start to decay when bacteria that build up on their surfaces release acids that wear them down. Over time, this process can lead to the enamel layer of teeth becoming thinner, or cavities forming in teeth. Poor brushing and flossing and having too much sugar in your diet can cause teeth to decay faster.
If decay is spotted in time, the tooth may be saved by placing a filling or crown. If decay reaches the centre of the tooth, it can sometimes be saved with root canal therapy. However, if a tooth is too badly damaged to save, your dentist may recommend removing it to stop the infection from spreading.
Severe chips or cracks
If a tooth is chipped or cracked as a result of a sporting injury, car collision or other accidental damage, your dentist will inspect the damage and determine whether it can be treated. If it’s not treated, the tooth will be more prone to further damage and could be painful or affect your smile.
Minor cracks can sometimes be sealed through dental bonding, while larger cracks or chipped teeth can sometimes be covered with a custom-made dental crown or other restoration to restore the tooth’s shape and strength. A tooth that’s too badly damaged to repair or to function normally may need to be extracted.
Impacted tooth
A tooth may need to be extracted if it’s impacted in the gum, meaning it doesn’t emerge fully or at all. Without treatment, an impacted tooth may be painful and can put you at risk of infection.
Teeth may become impacted when they don’t develop fully or are blocked by the presence of other teeth. This can sometimes be treated by removing some gum tissue to help the tooth come through. Impaction is most likely for wisdom teeth, especially in people with smaller jaws who may not have room for extra teeth at the back of their mouth.
As wisdom teeth are the least essential teeth, and the most likely to cause difficulties, dentists often recommend wisdom tooth removal to correct or prevent problems.
Preventing crowding
If the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate extra teeth, the eruption of some secondary teeth in adolescence or wisdom teeth in early adulthood could cause crowding. This happens when teeth push against each other in a small space, which may lead to teeth becoming crooked and other problems.
If your dentist thinks there’s a risk of crowding, this can sometimes be prevented using orthodontic treatment to reposition the teeth or widen the jaw. In other cases, one or more teeth may need to be extracted, either before or after their eruption from the gum.
Advanced gum disease
If bacteria on the teeth build up around the gum line, they can infect or irritate the gums, causing gum disease. While early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) doesn’t cause permanent damage if it’s treated in time, advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can break down tissues in and around the gums, including the bone holding the teeth in place. If too much is lost, teeth can lack support and may need to be extracted.
Gum disease can be prevented with a good oral care routine, but you should visit your dentist if your gums are discoloured, feel sore or bleed when you brush your teeth. More advanced gum disease can also cause receding gums and bad breath, and increases the risk of developing other serious health problems as bacteria spread through the body. Your dentist can discuss your options for treating the infection and restoring lost tissue.
Preparation for orthodontics
Dentists sometimes recommend extracting one or more teeth before an orthodontic treatment to move or straighten misaligned teeth. This may happen if there’s a risk of teeth becoming crowded, or if one or more teeth will be difficult to move and could affect the success of the treatment.
These extractions are less common today, thanks to advances in modern braces and clear aligners. If it is necessary, orthodontic treatment can sometimes close gaps left by missing teeth without the need for replacements.
Preparation for full mouth dental implants
If you have a number of missing or damaged teeth and you’re considering replacing all of your upper and/or lower teeth with full arch dental implants, any remaining teeth will need to be extracted first. This can usually be performed on the same day your implants are placed.
If you still have healthy teeth that you want to preserve, these can support an implant bridge on either side without the need for extraction.
What happens during a tooth extraction?
If you’re having an extraction, your dentist will explain what’s involved at every stage. They will first examine your mouth and take an x-ray to determine whether extraction is the best option and to help them plan the procedure.
Most extractions are straightforward, but they can be more complex if they involve an impacted or crowded tooth. Local anaesthesia is used to numb your mouth during the treatment so you won’t feel any pain. You can request other sedation options if you need more help to feel calm and relaxed.
During a routine extraction, your dentist will isolate the tooth and gently rock it back and forth using forceps until it’s loosened from the jaw. It can then be pulled out, and the site cleaned to prevent infection.
If you need a more complex extraction, this may involve opening the gum or removing some tissue to access the tooth. The tooth may sometimes need to be broken into pieces before removing it. The gum will then be stitched closed.
After the procedure, and after the anaesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel some minor pain or discomfort. This can be relieved by taking over-the-counter medication or safe home remedies for pain relief. If there’s any bleeding, this should only be temporary.
Why is it important to replace a tooth?
Whether a tooth is knocked out or extracted, missing teeth can sometimes cause problems, which is why dentists recommend having them replaced.
Some people choose to replace teeth for aesthetic reasons, to avoid the appearance of gaps in their smile. Others want to be able to eat and speak as normal, which can sometimes be affected if multiple teeth are missing.
The teeth also support each other, and their absence can cause surrounding teeth to become misaligned. Teeth also support the jaw bone and the surrounding facial muscles, and missing teeth can cause the jaw to deteriorate, resulting in a prematurely aged appearance.
Dentists offer several options for replacing one or more teeth, the most common being dental implants, bridges and dentures.
Dental implant
Dental implants are considered the gold standard of teeth replacement, as they look, feel and function the most like natural teeth. One or more implants can be placed in the jaw to support as many replacement teeth as needed, including a full arch of teeth.
Implants cost more than the alternatives and involve minor surgery, but they can also last longer.
Dental bridge
Dental bridges may be supported by implants or by crowns placed over healthy teeth on one or both sides. Made from natural-looking ceramic or other strong materials, bridges are custom made by prosthetists to fill the gaps in your smile and to restore the function of missing teeth.
A bridge supported by crowns is cheaper than one attached to an implant, but it doesn’t support the jaw bone and prevent deterioration like a dental implant.
Dentures
Dentures can replace one or more teeth in a row (partial dentures) or a whole arch of teeth (full dentures). Conventional dentures are supported by suction or by clasps attached to the remaining teeth, but they can also be supported by dental implants.
Dentures are generally the most affordable option, but they require special daily care and you may need to make changes to your diet due to their reduced biting forces.
Tooth extraction and replacement on the Gold Coast
If you have a problem tooth, our caring and experienced dentists at Robina Town Dental offer safe and painless extractions and natural-looking replacement options. Call us today on 07 5575 9100 to schedule an appointment or contact us to find out more.
Our modern dental clinic is conveniently located in Robina Town Centre and we welcome patients from all surrounding areas, including Burleigh Heads, Mudgeeraba, Miami, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Waters, Merrimac, Mermaid Waters, Worongary and Clear Island Waters.