Why Would I Need a Tooth Extracted?

Teeth are vital to digestion by chewing and breaking down foods. They are also essential in how we speak. 

Taking care of them helps prevent issues that can affect your whole body. Even if you are someone who brushes and flosses regularly, you can still experience dental health issues that may require tooth extractions. To understand why a tooth may need to be pulled, let’s look at why we sometimes have to remove damaged teeth, the conditions that require removal, and the options you have for extractions.

Residents of the Mamaroneck, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut, areas with tooth problems that require extractions can visit Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and the skilled medical team at All Bright Dental.

The importance of removing damaged teeth

In many cases, cracked or broken teeth can be saved by bonding, root canal, and other treatments. Tooth decay and cavities can also be treated with fillings, fluoride treatments, or crowns. 

However, if the extent of the damage is severe enough that it compromises the structure of the tooth or poses dangers to your gums and other teeth, a tooth extraction is necessary to preserve the health of your mouth.

Common conditions that require tooth extraction

Tooth decay is a common reason for a tooth extraction and is linked with gum disease. Other reasons for extractions include:

Mouth injuries

Injuries that impact your mouth can result in cracked, fractured, or broken teeth. Tooth luxations may be another result of a mouth injury, where the ligaments, tissue, and bone supporting the teeth become damaged enough to require removal.

Impacted teeth

An impacted tooth has not broken through the gums. That causes swelling, bleeding gums, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, difficulty opening your mouth, and pain when chewing and biting.

Crowded teeth

Crowded teeth can affect your oral health and create problems if left untreated. It can be caused by a cleft lip or palate, prolonged bottle feeding, thumb sucking, injuries, mouth tumors, impacted teeth, improperly fitting dental appliances, and family history. Examples of crowded teeth include overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite.

Extraction options

If you need a tooth extraction, there are several options. The simple extraction only requires a local anesthetic. The tooth is removed using a dental elevator (for loosening) and forceps.

The surgical option is often used for impacted teeth, though other types of severely damaged teeth may also require it. Local, intravenous, or general anesthesia is used for this method, as the surgeon makes a small incision into your gum and removes the tooth and surrounding bone if necessary.

There are many reasons for a tooth extraction, but whatever the reason, we are here to help. Make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental when you are ready to get your tooth removed.