While one of the primary goals of dental medicine is to prevent tooth loss, sometimes extraction is necessary to preserve the health of the rest of the smile. While people often assume that extraction can only be needed if the tooth hurts, the truth is that a patient may need to have a tooth removed even if no pain is present. Here’s a guide to why extraction can be necessary even if the tooth doesn’t hurt and what to expect during the procedure.
What Makes Tooth Extraction Necessary?
A severely decayed tooth can potentially spread its infection to the rest of the smile, causing further tooth loss or possibly even dangerous secondary infections like sepsis or pneumonia. In some cases, an erupting tooth must be extracted because the mouth does not have room for it, as leaving it in may lead to crowding, the neighboring teeth being forced out of alignment, or infections due to it becoming impacted. In either of these cases, removing the tooth may be necessary to prevent the loss of more teeth and maintain the patient’s oral and overall health.
Why Should I Have a Tooth Extracted if It Doesn’t Hurt?
Sometimes, a patient will need to have one or more healthy teeth extracted to make room for a restorative appliance such as a full denture. In other cases, extraction may be necessary before undergoing orthodontic treatment, as achieving a healthy alignment may be impossible if there are too many teeth in too small a mouth.
However, some patients find that their agonizing toothaches suddenly disappear, which may make them think that the problem has resolved itself. Unfortunately, it is far more likely that the infection simply killed the nerve ending inside the tooth, resulting in the decay continuing despite the end of the pain. In these cases, removing the tooth is essential to prevent further oral infection and the loss of more teeth.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction procedure begins with the dentist administering an appropriate anesthetic to render the process painless, and the patient may also receive dental sedation if they need any more help sitting calmly. Then, the dentist will use a device called an elevator to lift the tooth from its socket before grabbing it with forceps and gently working it free of its connective tissue. The wound will then be stitched shut and protected with a piece of gauze. Following your dentist’s postoperative instructions is the best way to stay comfortable and heal well after tooth extraction.
Tooth extraction can prevent tooth loss and nasty oral infections. If your dentist recommends removing a troubled tooth, you can rest assured that doing so is in your best interest.
About the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew earned his dental degree at New York University and completed residencies at Bellevue, Gouverneur, NYU, and Coler-Goldwater hospitals. He has logged over 300 hours of continuing education and has received extensive training through the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics. His office in Staten Island offers oral surgery services, dental implants, and tooth extractions. If you are concerned that you may need a tooth extraction, contact his office online or dial (718) 568-0405.