Although we work hard to protect your teeth in most situations, we also know that sometimes it might be necessary to extract one or more teeth to protect your oral health and preserve your other teeth. Wisdom tooth extractions are the most common type of extractions for younger individuals, but as we get older, other tooth extractions may be recommended.
If you are looking for a compassionate dental practice in Butler to perform a tooth extraction that is as gentle as possible, Dr. Bob has been serving the community for nearly 40 years, and he’s built a reputation of excellence on his gentleness and his expertise. He and his team take good care of our patients, and we invite you to experience our gentle touch dentistry for yourself. Please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment with Dr. Bob at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) are often extracted because they’re unnecessary and they can lead to complications. Some of the complications that can arise from wisdom teeth include:
- Damage to other teeth, especially second molars
- Usually noncancerous tumors and cysts
- Cleaning challenges
- Increased risk of decay
- More infected teeth
- More gum disease
- Changes to bite
- Crooked teeth
In the past, human jaws grew larger in part because we spent more of our time chewing rough foods. This stimulated the growth of the jaw and made room for the third molars. Third molars were also necessary because this rough food often wore down our other teeth, so we needed the third molars to keep being able to chew.
But now, with our smaller jaw, there’s usually not enough room for third molars. These can become impacted against our other teeth, causing damage or leading to the growth of tumors and cysts. Wisdom teeth can also be hard to reach and clean, especially if they’re impacted. When impacted teeth develop decay, other teeth can get decayed. Gum disease can develop around third molars, which can cause oral and overall health problems.
To avoid these problems, it’s often best to remove wisdom teeth early.
Who Needs Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted, but we can usually tell if they’re going to be a problem. X-rays will show us the teeth as they’re developing, and we can predict their path to emergence or impaction, so we can recommend removal before problems start.
It’s usually best to remove wisdom teeth before they fully develop. This makes the procedure easier and reduces risks of complications.
Other Tooth Extractions
Although wisdom teeth are the most common extractions we perform, we might recommend other tooth extractions for different reasons. If, for example, a tooth has been very badly damaged and can’t be repaired, extraction is the best option. The same is true if a tooth is infected but not a good candidate for a root canal. Serious gum disease might also require tooth extraction as part of the treatment.
It’s never an easy decision to decide to extract a tooth. Dr. Bob will explain to you the costs and benefits of each treatment option, then listen to your concerns and goals. Together, you can decide on the best course of action.
Comfort During Your Extraction
Dr. Bob is dedicated to the comfort of his patients. As a member of DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation), he’s properly trained in the use of oral sedation to help you avoid anxiety and discomfort during your procedure.
Combined with the most recent technologies and techniques, this helps ensure that your procedure will be as comfortable as possible.
Preserve Your Smile
In many cases, we can also plan to replace a tooth that is being lost to decay, trauma, or gum disease. When we extract your natural tooth, we can plan for a replacement with a denture, dental bridge, or dental implant, depending on your situation.
An extraction can be a hard decision, but it’s often the best way to give yourself the beautiful, whole smile you want to share with the world.
To learn more about extractions and tooth replacement options in Butler, please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
