We all know that decay and trauma can lead to a tooth needing to be extracted, but we also know that fillings and restorations exist. Tooth extraction is the single most frequent dental procedure performed in the United States, and modern techniques make it faster, easier, and more pain-free than ever. Not every tooth that becomes damaged or experiences decay needs to be extracted, but how can you tell? Premier Dental of South Orange County works with patients to determine which teeth can be saved and which ones need to be removed every day.
How Does Dr. Marian Bradford Determine if my Tooth Needs to Be Extracted?
Unless you’re experiencing a dental emergency requiring immediate extraction of the tooth, Dr. Bradford is going to be the one to determine if your tooth needs to be removed. The decision-making process starts with a full dental exam, often accompanied by imaging to get full knowledge of the condition affecting your damaged tooth. The kinds of things they’ll be looking for are as follows:
- The Amount Of Tooth Damage – Decay and injury can result in trauma to the tooth. If the damage too extensive to be repaired, Dr. Bradford may suggest extraction.
- Disease and Infection – Severe infections or periodontal disease that isn’t responding to treatment can lead to an extraction being necessary. If the tooth’s root gets exposed or has experienced extensive damage, it may need to be removed.
- Overcrowding and Impaction – This is the common reason that wisdom teeth have to be removed, but it can happen with your other teeth as well. When there isn’t enough room in your mouth for the tooth to come in, extraction may be the only answer.
- Pending Orthodontic Work – In some cases, orthodontic treatment may require the removal of one or more teeth.
These are the most common reasons that Dr. Bradford may determine that an extraction is necessary for your dental health.
What Symptoms Can Tell me That an Extraction Is Necessary?
There are a number of symptoms that can tell you if a dental extraction is necessary. Patients often come to us with this question, and rightly so. Wisdom teeth are extracted as a matter of course, but not all the extractions done strictly needed to be. Many other extractions could have been addressed by other means. There are five common symptoms that will tell you that an extraction may be inevitable:
- Pain that intensifies when chewing or when pressure is placed on the tooth
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw
- Gums are swollen in the vicinity of the tooth
- Severe gum disease
Every year thousands of Americans get a dental extraction performed, but it may not be necessary for your case. The only way to know is to call our offices in Aliso Viejo, CA, and arrange an appointment with Dr. Marian Bradford. Dr. Bradford and his team of experts at Premier Dental of South Orange County help hundreds of patients every year by performing pain-free extractions or saving their teeth. Call today, the tooth you save could be your own.