5 Signs a Dental Extraction May Be Needed

At Sac Dentist, Dr. Steven Phan and our team prefer to save permanent teeth, when possible, to preserve your smile’s natural appearance. Tooth extractions are often the last resort when all other options have been depleted. Sometimes, however, extraction is necessary to prevent complications with your oral health.

To help you prepare for this eventuality, your Sacramento, California dentist has listed the following signs to look out for to indicate that a tooth may need to be removed:

1. Severe Tooth Decay

Severe decay is one of the most common reasons for extracting a tooth. Untreated decay can severely damage your teeth. There’s also the risk of decay penetrating the inner chamber or pulp of your tooth and infecting its blood vessels and nerves. If not caught in time, the damage can become irreversible, making it necessary to remove your tooth. Persistent tooth pain or sensitivity could be due to severe decay and should be reported to your dentist right away so we can take measures to save your tooth.    

2. Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a severe infection of the gum tissues that support your teeth. It causes gum inflammation, recession, and bleeding. As your gums recede, they lose their hold on your teeth, causing them to loosen and shift out of position. Eventually, your teeth will become so loose that they’ll need to be removed. Through routine dental checkups, we can catch and treat gum disease early when symptoms can be reversed to prevent premature tooth loss. 

3. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth have no space to grow, they can become stuck in your gums. This can lead to pain, gum swelling, and tenderness. Impacted wisdom teeth increase your risk of decay and gum disease and pose a risk of damage to nearby teeth. To protect your healthy teeth and prevent further dental issues, Dr. Phan may recommend having problematic wisdom teeth removed.

4. Severe Dental Injury

Sadly, teeth aren’t indestructible. Accidents happen, and when they do, the consequences could be a fractured or broken tooth. If the tooth is too damaged to be saved, it will need to be extracted. Teeth that are fractured all the way to their roots pose a risk of crumbling or becoming infected. After evaluating your tooth and assessing the damage, Dr. Phan can recommend the best course of action for treatment, considering your overall oral and general health.

5. Overcrowding

Problems with overcrowding could prompt the need for extraction. When teeth don’t have enough space, they can grow crooked or on top of each other, causing problems with chewing, speaking, and oral hygiene. Removing a tooth can make extra space for the rest of your teeth to accommodate themselves properly to maintain your smile’s alignment. Extracting a tooth will also make room for teeth to shift into a straighter position if you’re planning orthodontic treatment.

Tooth Extraction Services Near Me

For safe and effective tooth extractions in Sacramento, CA, when needed, contact Dr. Steven Phan from Sac Dentist at (916) 999-7830.

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