It is the goal of every oral surgeon to help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible, hopefully for the entirety of your lifetime. However, some situations may emerge in which a tooth is either too damaged or too diseased to be salvaged, in which case the best option is to extract and replace it. At Mercer Island Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we provide tooth extractions that always focus on your comfort and safety. So, when is a tooth extraction necessary?
When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Risk of Infection
The main reason why a tooth may need to be extracted is that it becomes so unhealthy that it poses a risk to the surrounding teeth. For example, severe tooth decay could allow the bacteria to spread to the gums, the jawbone, and even the rest of your body. A damaged tooth may not be salvageable, and allowing it to remain in the smile makes the rest of your mouth more susceptible to infection.
Orthodontics
Teeth may also need to be extracted as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. If your smile lacks room to support healthy tooth alignment, an oral surgeon could work alongside your orthodontist to remove the most at-risk teeth. This helps you avoid issues with crowding and spacing, which can impair the aesthetics of your smile and increase your risk for long-term complications.
Impaction
Impacted teeth require extraction when they remain trapped under gum or bone. Impacted wisdom teeth always benefit from extraction, but other teeth may also become impacted. Your oral surgeon will often be able to create a path for impacted teeth to emerge, but in some cases, this may be impossible, requiring the tooth to be extracted and replaced.
Tooth extraction may also be required for full-mouth restoration to create room for an implant-supported denture or prosthesis.
Maintain a Full, Healthy Smile Through Robust Oral Care
At Mercer Island Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our mission is to help you maintain your natural teeth whenever possible. When tooth extraction is needed, Dr. Streelman can often remove the non-viable tooth and replace it with a dental implant on the same day, ensuring you maintain a full, healthy smile. Read even more about tooth extractions on our website.