If one of your teeth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental procedure. But when there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, it may need to be extracted.
Common Reasons For Tooth Extraction
An extraction may be needed to address any of the following concerns:
- Oral trauma
- Cavities
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Broken teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Infection
- Dental decay
- Crowding
For any of these issues, a dental implant may be required to replace the tooth.
Many extractions can be performed using local anesthesia. In some circumstances, your dentist may advise you to consider intravenous or general anesthesia as well. A tooth extraction may be unpleasant, but it can be key for relieving pain and preventing problems in the future.
The best way to determine if you need to have a tooth removed is by making an appointment with your dentist. They can then review your symptoms, make an accurate diagnosis and give you their recommended treatment plan.
Who Performs A Tooth Extraction?
General dentists commonly perform extractions. However, sometimes an oral surgeon may be required to extract a tooth when the situation is more complicated due to extraction difficulty, nearby anatomy, or a patient’s medical history.