Reasons dental oral surgery may be needed for tooth extraction in Indianapolis, IN

The goal of dentistry has always been to preserve natural tooth structure as much as possible. For children, losing a tooth is somewhat exciting, a sort of rite of passage to being a “big kid.” Losing a tooth in adulthood is not nearly as thrilling an event. Losing a permanent tooth has consequences that, without proper tooth replacement, can affect the look and the health of the smile. Although tooth extraction through dental oral surgery in our Indianapolis, IN practice is something we make every attempt to avoid, there are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth.

Reasons for extracting teeth

Ideally, our permanent teeth would last us our lifetime. There are a number of situations, however, in which it may become necessary to remove a tooth or teeth. Typically, extraction becomes necessary when a tooth has been so extensively damaged that there is no suitable option for repair. Other reasons for tooth removal include:

• Crowding – Teeth that are crowded together can pose a challenge to orthodontic treatment. The goal of such treatment is to move teeth into proper alignment. If teeth are too big to fit in the mouth, one or more may be removed to make room for movement. Crowding may also keep a permanent tooth from erupting, trapping it beneath the gums. In a case such as this, extraction may be recommended.
• Infection – Infection becomes a real possibility when cavities are not promptly treated. As bacteria weaken the tooth structure, they gain access to inner parts of the tooth. If the pulp chamber, where the blood vessels and nerves lie, becomes infected, root canal therapy can often remove only infected tissue, preserving the tooth. If infection is not treated soon enough, however, the only option to stop the spread of infection may be to remove the tooth.

• Risk of infection – In rare instances, the risk of infection may be great enough to remove a questionable tooth. Such scenarios may include a compromised immune system due to health problems or medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
• Periodontal disease – Diseased gum tissue is a serious matter, with gum disease progressing if not properly maintained through professional treatment. If the bones and supportive tissues around the teeth are weakened and teeth become loose, removal may become necessary.

Your dentist at Washington Street Dental is highly experienced in the various aspects of oral health. Our goal is to preserve natural teeth for a lifetime. Contact our office today for your dental check-up.

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