When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

No one looks forward to the idea of needing a tooth extraction. However, it is sometimes a dental reality and can be the best option for protecting your overall oral health and wellness. At SF Oral Surgery, our doctors only recommend a tooth extraction when it is evident that a tooth cannot be saved, and not removing it could lead to other health complications.

When Tooth Extraction is Needed

Severe Tooth Decay

Advanced tooth decay remains one of the most common reasons for tooth extraction. Removing a dead tooth could be an important step in preventing infection and ensuring oral health. Suppose a tooth has deteriorated to the extent that a filling, root canal, crown, or even an apicoectomy cannot prevent continued decay. In that case, extraction is likely the only choice to prevent the bacteria behind the tooth decay from spreading to other healthy teeth and gum tissue.

Irreparable Tooth Damage

If a tooth becomes broken or fractured because of an accident or facial trauma, an extraction may be medically required. This is especially true when the damage is also present below the gumline. If the tooth’s structure cannot be restored, undergoing a tooth extraction is the safest way to prevent the broken tooth from decaying and, subsequently, causing infections in the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. 

Impacted Teeth

A tooth becomes impacted when it is trapped under the gum tissue and cannot emerge comfortably. Tooth impaction is most commonly experienced with wisdom teeth, which usually emerge in the late teens or early twenties, but it can affect other teeth as well. Several symptoms are regularly present when a tooth is impacted, including pain, swelling, and infection due to the tooth pressing against other teeth and the gum tissue.  In such a situation, it is necessary to consult with an oral surgeon to know if the impacted teeth can be surgically brought into the smile (exposure) or if the teeth need to be removed (tooth extraction). 

Orthodontics Are Required

When being fit for orthodontic procedures, it is entirely possible that tooth extraction becomes part of the treatment plan. For instance, a younger adolescent who is fit for braces might require baby teeth to be removed, or a patient who does not have sufficient jaw space could need a tooth extraction. Ultimately, tooth extractions can improve outcomes for orthodontics so the teeth and jaw can be straightened and aligned. 

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

It is impossible to know if you require a tooth extraction without consulting an oral surgeon, emergency dentist, or related oral health specialist. There are various reasons why tooth extraction is needed to ensure the health and safety of your smile—and it could be a step toward realizing a pain-free mouth. 

At SF Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons are always focused on preserving the integrity of your natural teeth whenever possible. Tooth extraction is only recommended when it is the correct choice. Learn more by reaching out to our San Francisco practice today.