3 Types Of Teeth That May Require Extraction By An Oral Surgeon
The goal of preventative and restorative oral health is to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful, but in some cases, extraction is unavoidable. While many dental clinics such as Smile Makers Dental can perform simple extractions, more complex ones may require surgical extraction from an oral surgeon. If you may need a tooth extracted, check out these three types of teeth that may require extraction by an oral surgeon.
Severely Damaged Teeth
If your tooth needs to be extracted because it has shattered, it may need surgical extraction. This largely depends on where the tooth broke. If it broke at or below the gum line, there may simply be not enough exposed bone for a simple extraction. On the other hand, some teeth are prone to damage because they have large fillings, which weaken them. If your dentist attempts to remove a weak tooth, the force alone may cause the tooth to shatter. You may also need an extraction if the tooth is infected and root canal treatment is not possible or ineffective.
Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth are teeth that don't grow straight upward. They grow at a slant. In some cases, the slant can be severe enough to cause the tooth to grow into other teeth. This can cause damage to both teeth, but it can also cause pain, swelling, and infection. Even if they don't, however, impacted teeth are hard to clean properly, increasing the risk of decay. Impacted teeth usually need to be extracted because they can't be corrected with braces. A mildly impacted tooth with a mostly visible crown may only require simple extraction, but some impacted teeth barely erupt, so much of the tooth's crown remains under the gum line. These teeth likely require a surgical extraction to fully remove the tooth.
Un-Erupted Teeth
Some teeth don't erupt at all, and un-erupted teeth are at risk of infection. Some severely impacted teeth may never erupt, but in other cases, it may be an extra tooth. Some people grow supernumerary teeth or extra teeth. These extra teeth cause damage as they grow into existing healthy teeth, so they need to be removed before they erupt. In other cases, the tooth may grow where a tooth was removed, such as a wisdom tooth. These teeth often never fully develop or erupt.
While you may not want a tooth removed, it may be the best course of action to save your smile and reduce further damage or pain. If you would like to know more about surgical extraction, contact a dentist in your area today.