Lincoln Reasons for Tooth Extraction: General Dental Care

Dr. Andrew R. Glenn has helped countless patients in and around Lincoln with diverse dental health needs that require oral surgery. We have a track record of safe and successful oral surgery, covering everything from tooth extractions to bone grafting and implant dentistry.

Many patients wonder about the nature of tooth extractions and why they are sometimes necessary. We'd like to look into that matters in a bit of detail right now.

Severe Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

When a tooth is severely compromised by tooth decay or has come very loose from advanced periodontitis, it is generally not able to be saved. This may be due to a lack of healthy tooth structure remaining or poor gum health. In such cases, the best option for care would be to remove the tooth.

Extreme Tooth Damage or Injury

This approach to dental care holds true when it comes to major injury or damage to the teeth. Following a serious accident, sports injury, or an assault, if the tooth cannot be restored, it may wind up being a better option to remove the tooth.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth tend to come in during the late teens and early twenties. These additional sets of molars often come in crooked and lead to impaction/crowding of the other teeth. In order to prevent severe tooth pain, the removal of the wisdom teeth is recommended. This is one of the most common kinds of tooth extraction procedures.

Making Room for Incoming Teeth

Sometimes when a young person's permanent teeth are growing in, their baby teeth may not be ready to come out. Usually the baby teeth fall out with ease, but sometimes that is not the case. In such cases, the removal of the baby teeth can be done in order to ensure the proper growth of the incoming permanent teeth.

Inability to Save the Tooth Through a Root Canal

Root canal therapy is performed in order to address the infection of the dental pulp, the soft tissue located within a tooth. When root canal therapy is unable to eliminate the infected tissue, the tooth will need to be extracted in order to prevent further spread of the dental infection.

Preparing Teeth for Orthodontic Treatment

In cases of extreme crowding, tooth extraction may be required before implementing orthodontic care. This is not always necessary, and the age of the patient may be a factor in the final treatment plan. This issue can be discussed in more detail with your orthodontist based on your needs.

We Will Always Work to Save a Tooth When Reasonable

Working conservatively is generally ideal when it comes to improving dental health and wellness. We will always do our best to ensure that a tooth is saved since it's always ideal to have as much natural tooth structure in place as possible.

If a tooth needs to be extracted and a gap will be left behind, we can discuss different kinds of appliances that will help you have a smile that looks its very best, such as dental bridges or dentures. We can also discuss dental implants in full detail as this will be an ideal method of holding such appliances in place.

Learn More About Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry

For more information about tooth extraction and your many other options for effective dental care, be sure to contact our oral surgery and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Glenn will help you make the best possible decisions when it comes to your dental health and wellness.

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Reasons for Tooth Extraction: What Dental Patients Should Know