When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Highlight Family Dentistry is pleased to offer a range of preventive and restorative dentistry solutions to keep your natural teeth healthy for life. Extracting a tooth is often our last resort when other treatments have failed, and a tooth is damaged beyond repair. Our gentle approach, time-tested techniques, and sedation dentistry options will ensure you are comfortable and free of stress throughout any procedure. 

Why Would a Tooth Require Extraction?

Here are some of the most common reasons why extracting a tooth may be necessary: 

Severe Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is a common dental concern that is usually addressed with dental fillings. If not treated promptly, the decay will continue to progress and may affect the tooth roots. If that happens, you may need root canal therapy to save the damaged tooth and a dental crown to protect it. Neglecting to repair a severely damaged tooth may result in severe pain and a potentially serious infection. That may leave us with no choice but to extract the affected tooth. 

Gum Disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious infection affecting the gums, bone, and tissues supporting the teeth. Left untreated, the progressive condition is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. When a tooth loses its support, saving it is not usually an option. We may recommend an extraction to prevent the spread of infection and to safeguard the health of your surrounding teeth and gums. 

Trauma or Injury: If a tooth is damaged due to trauma or injury, we will do everything we can to save it. If, however, the affected tooth cannot be repaired or restored, we may have no option other than to extract it to relieve you of your discomfort and protect the remaining teeth. 

Orthodontic Treatment: If you have crooked or crowded teeth, we may need to perform selective tooth extractions to create the required space for the remaining teeth to move into the desired position. That will help align your teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. 

Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last teeth to come in and often don’t have the room they need to fully emerge. That can result in them becoming impacted or trapped in the jaw. They may also erupt at an angle, placing pressure on the neighboring teeth and pushing them out of alignment. Problematic wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to the surrounding teeth and must be extracted to prevent further problems. We may also recommend the removal of wisdom teeth if they have the potential to cause future problems.

What Is the Tooth Extraction Procedure?

We will numb the area and administer dental sedation, if required, for your comfort. If the tooth is visible and easily accessible about the gum line, you will need a simple extraction. A surgical extraction, on the other hand, is a more involved procedure required to remove a tooth that is severely decayed, partially visible, broken, or impacted. With our modern anesthetics, state-of-the-art technology, sedation options, and gentle techniques, most patients report little to no pain or discomfort during or after the procedure. 

Tooth Extractions Near Me

If you have a damaged or painful tooth, contact Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto, TX, to schedule a consultation. We will do everything we can to keep your natural teeth intact. If, however, extraction is the only viable option, you can count on our dedicated team for compassionate, gentle care. Call us at (512) 886-2644 to schedule your appointment, or book one online today!