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Importance Of
Replacing The Missing Tooth
You need to be aware of the importance of replacing this missing
tooth. Why? Once a tooth is removed, the space created by the
missing tooth will allow the surrounding teeth to shift into that
space. This shift could cause a misalignment in your mouth that can
result in chewing or jaw-joint problems. These shifted teeth are
harder to clean, making them more susceptible to gum disease, decay
or even additional tooth loss. For these reasons, it's important to
replace the tooth with a dental appliance such as a bridge, a
removable partial denture or an implant.
In some instances you may be considering the option of pulling a
tooth rather than simply repairing it. While it may be less
expensive in the short run, in the long run it may cost you more. As
you just heard, once a tooth is pulled you still need to fill the
space with a dental appliance to avoid future complications. If you
add the cost of extraction plus the replacement of the tooth, you
may simply be better off repairing it.
Why might a person require a tooth extraction?
There are a number of reasons why your dentist might recommend that
you have a tooth, or even several teeth, extracted. Listed below are
some of these reasons:
1) A tooth extraction might be indicated if
repairing a damaged tooth is not practical.
a) Broken, cracked, or extensively decayed teeth can be extraction
candidates.
Some teeth will have extensive decay (dental caries) or else will
have broken or cracked in such an extreme manner that an extraction
might be considered the best, or at least a reasonable, solution. Of
course there will be a number of factors that will come into play
with any specific situation. In some cases the obstacles that
present themselves might be so formidable that a repair for the
tooth is simply not possible. In other cases the cost of needed
dental treatment or else a questionable long-term outlook for the
success of the treatment may be the reason an extraction is chosen.
b) Teeth that are unsuitable candidates for root canal treatment
should be extracted. Some teeth may require treatment of the nerve
space that lies within them (root canal treatment) in order to make
a repair. While most teeth typically are candidates for root canal
treatment there can be complicating factors that remove this option.
If this is the case and needed root canal treatment cannot be
performed then the extraction of the tooth is indicated.
c) Teeth associated with advanced periodontal disease (gum disease)
may need to be pulled.
By definition, teeth that have experienced the effects of advanced
periodontal disease (gum disease) are teeth whose supporting bone
has been damaged. In general, as periodontal disease worsens, a
tooth is supported by less and less surrounding bone, often to the
point where the tooth becomes loose. In those cases where
significant bone damage has occurred and a tooth has become
excessively mobile extraction of the tooth may be the only option.
2) Malpositioned or nonfunctional teeth may
need to be extracted.
Some teeth are extracted because they are malpositioned. As an
example, sometimes when wisdom teeth come in they lie in a position
that proves to be a constant source of irritation to the person's
cheek (by either rubbing against the cheek or causing the person to
bite it). As a solution, a dentist may suggest that the offending
wisdom teeth should be extracted.
Some teeth might be extracted because they provide very little
service to the dental patient but do offer risk for becoming
problematic. A common example is a wisdom tooth that has come in but
has no matching tooth to bite against. Wisdom teeth are typically in
a region of the mouth that is hard to clean, thus placing them and
their neighboring tooth at greater risk for decay and periodontal
disease. Depending on the precise circumstances that they find, a
dentist may advise their patient that removing a nonfunctional tooth
might be in that patient's best long-term interest in regards to
maintaining good oral health.
Impacted teeth are often extracted. Impacted teeth are teeth whose
positioning in the jaw bone is such that they cannot erupt into
normal alignment. So by definition, impacted teeth are malpositioned
and because they are malpositioned they are often nonfunctional.
This combination of factors makes impacted teeth common candidates
for extraction.
3) Tooth extractions may be required in
preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces).
When orthodontic treatment is performed for a patient the dentist is
trying to perfect the alignment of the patient's teeth but they can
only do so within the confines of the size of the person's jaws.
Especially in those cases where a large discrepancy exists between
the size of the patient's jaws and the needed space required for the
improved alignment of their teeth, some strategically located teeth
may need to be extracted.
When might a tooth extraction be a bad idea?
During their examination of your teeth and mouth it is possible that
your dentist will be able to recommend one or more alternative
treatments to having a tooth extraction. While extracting a tooth
might be less expensive than the other treatment options your
dentist proposes, it may not be the least expensive treatment in the
long-run.
When a tooth is removed its neighboring teeth will tend to shift,
sometimes significantly. Any alignment changes that do occur can
have a major impact on your dental health. Removing even a single
tooth can lead to problems associated with chewing ability or jaw
joint function. Additionally, teeth whose alignment has changed can
become traps for food or be harder to clean thoroughly, thus placing
them at greater risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
So to avoid these types of complications, in most cases your dentist
will probably recommend to you that you replace any tooth that has
been extracted. Replacing a tooth after an extraction with an
artificial one can easily cost more than the alternative of not
extracting a tooth and instead rebuilding it.
Whether your family needs a child's loose baby tooth removed or an
adolescents wisdom teeth extracted or an adult tooth removed for
various reasons, we can help.
We cater to all our patients needs, from Conscious Valium Sedation
to Nitrous Oxide Gas we apply what ever you need to help you get
through a procedure.
Ask for headphones and a comfortable blanket and your all set.
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