At Greater Dental Health, tooth removals are oral surgery procedures that remove teeth that cannot be saved through other treatments, such as fillings and crowns. Teeth may need to be removed for several reasons, including severe tooth decay, infection, injury, and disease. Other reasons for extraction include orthodontic correction of a patient’s bite. Some patients have trouble chewing if all their teeth are misaligned. When teeth are crowded together, thoroughly cleaning them can be challenging. By removing some teeth, the remaining teeth can shift into the proper alignment. This allows the patient to floss and brush more effectively and improves the health of their mouth. Extraction is often the best option to relieve discomfort and prevent further dental problems.

 Types of Teeth Extractions

• Simple extractions are routine and happen often. For example, an extraction will be performed if a patient has an impacted wisdom tooth. If an adult tooth is knocked out or broken due to an accident, a simple extraction may be needed to restore the smile.
• Surgical extractions may be recommended for several reasons. Extracting a baby tooth may be necessary to prevent crowding or other orthodontic reasons. Sometimes, a severely decayed tooth cannot be saved and must be removed from under the gums to prevent the infection from spreading. Other times, wisdom teeth may need to be pulled to prepare the mouth for orthodontics or other treatments.

The Benefits of Tooth Removal 

Better Oral Health 

A missing tooth gap can cause other teeth to crowd together, creating alignment issues over time. By having a tooth extraction procedure performed, a dentist can ensure that the surrounding teeth are correctly spaced and aligned. Patients may also experience better oral health overall after a tooth extraction has been performed. Removing an infected or broken tooth can prevent the infection from spreading and causing further complications with other teeth and gum tissue. 

Improved Smile 

Removing a tooth can significantly improve your smile’s appearance, especially if it is misshapen or discolored. A gap in your smile can cause the rest of your teeth to shift out of alignment and cause more problems. It can also affect your confidence by making you self-conscious about wearing braces or having missing teeth in public. If you opt for dental implants in the future to replace your missing tooth, it is best to have the tooth removed beforehand so the implant can be appropriately placed. 

Patients can protect their oral health by removing the tooth before it causes these issues. If you have questions about tooth extractions or general oral health, visit Greater Dental Health at 5210 Town Center Blvd Suite 310, Floor 2, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, or call (470) 508-0044.