We all think of wisdom teeth as the primary cause for a tooth removal – but tooth extractions are one of the most common dental procedures. Holcomb & Associates is proud to provide our patients with safe, comfortable, and effective tooth extractions, no matter what the reason for the removal may be. There are three types of tooth extractions:
- Simple extractions, where the tooth can be removed without accessing the area below the gum line
- Impacted extractions, where teeth cannot emerge properly from beneath the gum (such as in wisdom tooth extractions)
- Tooth root extractions, where the tooth roots are left behind from a prior extraction and become infected
Once Dr. Holcomb has had a chance to examine your mouth and learn about your oral health history, we’ll be able to advise on which type of tooth extraction you will need. The majority of tooth extractions are simple extractions, where the strength of the tooth (or of the surrounding areas) has become compromised enough to warrant removal. For example, you may need a tooth extraction if you have a tooth that is infected, significantly damaged, or causing your surrounding teeth to crowd into each other. How do you know if you need to get a tooth removed? Here are some common reasons you may need a tooth extraction:
- Decay – If a tooth is severely decayed, a tooth extraction may be a better option than a filling or a crown.
- Overcrowding – Teeth that are overcrowded can not only cause misalignment of your upper/lower row of teeth, but also jaw misalignment and pain from an improper bite pattern.
- Orthodontic Treatment – In some cases, you may need to have a tooth extraction in order to prepare for corrective treatment, such as braces or Invisalign.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth – If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted, it can cause pain, damage to other teeth and even lead to tooth decay, as an impacted tooth is much harder to clean.
Are you worried that you might need a tooth extraction? Set your worries aside by scheduling an appointment with Holcomb & Associates today!