Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions

When our teeth begin to fail due to disease or if their emergence – such as in the case of wisdom teeth -presents problems to our quality of life and oral health, a tooth extraction is necessary. The most common reasons for removing teeth beyond wisdom teeth extractions are disease and injury. Following is helpful information on common reasons why an oral surgeon might extract teeth.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are problematic because we no longer need them. When these third sets of molars (wisdom teeth) erupt, they can contribute to a myriad of oral health problems including the development of abscesses, gum disease, and tooth decay. Since human beings keep their second molars much longer than our ancestors, wisdom teeth are practically obsolete. Moreover, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the healthy emergence of wisdom teeth.

Removing wisdom teeth reduces many threats to a person’s oral health…

Removing wisdom teeth reduces many threats to a person’s oral health and can increase quality of life among patients whose wisdom teeth contribute to orofacial pain and headaches.

Wisdom teeth extraction is typically more complicated than other extractions because third molars tend to become impacted in the bone and many times their roots curve into the jawbone in ways that make their removal more cumbersome. This is why an oral surgeon typically performs these types of extractions.

Disease

When teeth become diseased beyond repair, it is wise to remove them. A diseased tooth can turn into a systemic oral health problem when it affects the health of adjacent structures. For instance, abscessed teeth can lead to a chronic oral health infection at the site of wisdom tooth eruption and along neighboring structures like adjacent teeth and the gums.

Injury

injuries are another common reason for tooth extraction. Sometimes a tooth can become fractured or broken from trauma to the face or mouth. If a dental injury is so extensive that a tooth cannot be saved with restorations or endodontic therapy, its removal will be recommended to prevent complications.

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