Will an emergency dentist extract a tooth?
Sometimes, a dental problem can only be resolved by extracting the tooth. A number of issues can lead to extraction including impacted teeth, extensive decay, dental disease, or fracture. Wisdom teeth are often extracted to ensure the health of the rest of the mouth. A patient may even need a tooth extracted under emergency circumstances for one of the above reasons or even after an accident. Let’s take a deeper look into emergency dental extraction.
Decay in a tooth can spread to other healthy teeth so there may be an instance in which decay is too extensive so that too much of the tooth structure is compromised and cannot be properly restored. Your dentist may advise having a tooth extracted to restore the health of your mouth.
Periodontal disease can also lead to an emergency extraction. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to gum recession, loss of jaw bone structure, and loose teeth. Poor oral care, certain medications, and even genetics can cause a patient to suffer from periodontal disease which is why it is so important to maintain a regular schedule with your dental office for professional cleanings. If a tooth does become loose, it may need to be extracted to prevent further damage to remaining teeth.
Infection in a tooth is another reason that a tooth may need to be extracted under emergency circumstances to ensure the health of remaining teeth. Most dentists will prescribe a round of antibiotics as a first step to see if the infection can be eradicated without extraction. An infection is indicated by sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages, swelling in the area, and even a fever. If you experience any of these, it is important to visit your dentist as quickly as possible so they can examine the area, diagnose the problem, and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Overcrowding is another reason that teeth may be extracted. This will not usually be an emergency extraction but sometimes, as with wisdom teeth, it may be more dire than in other circumstances such as a precursor to orthodontic treatment. Whether or not they are erupted, wisdom teeth can be more challenging to properly clean and are more susceptible to decay, which can damage neighboring teeth.
Impacted teeth, which just means that they never erupted through the gum tissues, can develop an infection which can spread to neighboring teeth. Having impacted teeth extracted helps ensure the health and integrity of surrounding teeth.
And finally, teeth may need to be extracted after an accident such as a fall or a car or bike accident. Your dentist is always going to do all that they can to save the tooth but after they evaluate and x-ray the area, it may be determined that the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted. Sometimes, a tooth can fracture and if the fracture is too deep, the tooth may not be restorable.
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