No adult wants to hear that they need a permanent tooth extracted, but it’s more common than you think. As Dr. Chad Carver at Stellar Family Orthodontics knows, leaving a damaged tooth in your mouth is often more dangerous than removing it.
At their offices in Mukilteo and Mill Creek, Washington, Stellar Family Orthodontics uses state-of-the-art technology and advanced dental equipment to determine whether you can benefit from a tooth extraction.
There are many reasons why Dr. Carver and his orthodontic team may recommend a tooth extraction for you, especially if leaving the tooth behind poses a threat to the rest of your healthy teeth.
Reasons for pulling permanent teeth
Here are just a few reasons a tooth extraction may be the right treatment for you:
Tooth infection
An infected tooth is a potentially serious dental concern that can affect your overall health. Once the infection reaches your tooth pulp in the center of your tooth, it can get into your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body.
Tooth infections are often painful and uncomfortable. Some of the most common signs of a tooth infection include:
- Toothache
- Tooth sensitivity
- Fever
- Facial swelling
- Bad breath
- Pus-filled abscess
Root canal therapy is the first line of defense against a tooth infection. This tooth-saving procedure effectively removes your tooth pulp to eliminate the infection at the source. Unfortunately, a root canal isn’t always enough to save your tooth. Having the infected tooth pulled can stop the pain, damage, and discomfort that comes with a tooth infection.
Overcrowding
Not everybody has enough room in their mouth to support a full set of teeth. If you have a very small mouth or overly large teeth, the rest of your teeth can begin pushing together. This is referred to as overcrowding.
Without treatment, overcrowding can lead to teeth grinding, chewing problems, speech difficulties, and more.
After a full evaluation of your mouth, Dr. Carver can determine which teeth he can remove to optimize your oral health or prepare for orthodontic therapy.
Tooth pain
Whether you have an infection, severe tooth decay, or damage to your teeth, tooth pain is a serious problem that can negatively impact your quality of life.
If you have persistent tooth pain, Dr. Carver will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine whether a tooth extraction can relieve your pain without damaging your oral health.
Injury or damage
Severe tooth decay or a facial injury can leave you with cracked or broken teeth. While a tooth-shaped dental crown can help protect weak teeth from further damage, it sometimes isn’t enough to save your tooth. In many cases, removing an injured tooth is more effective than treating it.
Orthodontic preparation
If you’re preparing for braces or another orthodontic treatment, Dr. Carver may recommend a tooth extraction. Removing a tooth to prepare for orthodontics is often necessary if you have:
- Crowded teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Overcrowded teeth
- Malocclusion
With Dr. Carver and the team at Stellar Family Orthodontics on your side, you can rest assured knowing your orthodontic needs are in good hands. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online for a free consultation!