Do I Really Need A Tooth Extraction?

tooth extraction amherst nyTooth extraction becomes necessary for a number of different reasons. Your tooth may be infected at the root or the enamel may be damaged. Perhaps it’s your wisdom teeth that need to be removed before they cause serious problems. How can you tell if your tooth needs to be extracted? Dr. Karl Neuhaus of Creekside Dentistry & Implantology in Amherst, NY explains.

A Last Resort

In most cases, dentists view tooth extraction as a last resort. At Creekside, Dr. Neuhaus takes care to ensure we provide the most conservative treatment for your dental problems. He wants to save as much of your natural tooth as possible. However, if conservative methods have failed or we don’t believe that they will succeed, that’s when a tooth extraction may be recommended.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

There are many reasons a tooth may be removed. If you’re experiencing severe tooth decay or have a tooth that’s been extremely damaged from trauma, your tooth may need to be extracted. Teeth are also removed when your mouth is overcrowded and they are causing pain or making dental hygiene difficult.

Sometimes teeth are removed to help treat malocclusion. This is when your bite lines up abnormally. Malocclusion can be at the root (Ha! Dental puns!) of many oral health problems, particularly TMJ disorders. An even bite that meets where it’s supposed to help to even out the pressure on your teeth when they close together. This lessens the chance of broken or cracked teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties. It’s more common than not to need your wisdom teeth removed. Very few people are able to hold onto their wisdom teeth throughout their lifetime without any issues. Wisdom teeth can cause pain, overcrowding in the teeth, and can be more likely to suffer from tooth decay as they’re harder to reach.

Wisdom teeth can also get impacted in your jaw. This means that it’s at an odd angle and is stuck mostly under the gums, causing problems with your other teeth. Wisdom teeth are usually all removed at the same time through a surgical procedure. You’ll be sedated and the wisdom teeth will be removed before they cause too many problems.

The Extraction Process

For a simple tooth extraction, you’ll first receive local anesthetic around the tooth that’s being removed. If you suffer from dental fear, we offer sedation dentistry options to make sure you’re calm and comfortable throughout the process.

Once you’re suitably numb, the ligaments that connect the tooth to your bone will be slowly severed. The tooth is gently rocked back and forth in the socket to remove the actual tooth. When the tooth is out, the entire area will be cleaned and packed with gauze. This helps a blood clot to form in the cavity and also helps to keep out food particles and other hazards. You’ll receive aftercare instructions to make sure it heals well.

Tooth Extraction in Amherst, NY

Have a tooth that may need to be removed? Call us at (716) 262-8070 or schedule an appointment online.