Reasons why teeth are extracted.
There are a number of reasons why a person might need a tooth, or even multiple teeth, extracted. They include:
1) Damaged teeth.
a) Broken, cracked, or extensively decayed teeth.
The obstacles associated with repairing some teeth that have extensive decay or else have broken or cracked in an extreme manner may make extraction the only choice. In other cases, the needed treatment's cost, or else a question of its long-term success, may make extraction the most reasonable option.
b) Teeth that are unsuitable candidates for root canal treatment.
If the option of receiving needed root canal treatment is not possible, the only alternative is to extract the tooth.
c) Teeth that have advanced gum disease.
In those cases where periodontal disease (gum disease) has caused a significant amount of bone damage and the affected teeth have become excessively mobile, extraction may be the only option.
2) Mal-positioned or non-functional teeth may need to be extracted.
a) Mal-positioned teeth.
Some teeth are extracted because they have a poor alignment or positioning. For example, some third molars are extracted because they are a constant source of irritation to a person's cheek (they either rub against it or causing the person to bite it).
b) Non-functional teeth.
Some teeth are extracted because they just provide minimal benefit but place the person at substantial risk for experiencing dental problems.
As an example, some third molars come into place but have no matching tooth to bite against. Since these teeth lie in a region of the mouth that is hard to clean, both it and its neighbouring 2nd molar are at increased risk for developing tooth decay and/or periodontal disease. In this type of situation, it may make sense to have the tooth extracted.
c) Impacted teeth.
Impacted teeth are mal-positioned and usually non-functional. This combination of factors makes them common candidates for extraction.
3) Tooth extractions may be required for orthodontic reasons.
When orthodontic treatment is performed, the dentist may be limited by the amount of jaw space (length) they have to work with. If so, some strategically-located teeth may need to be sacrificed.
When can having an extraction be a bad idea?
The simplicity of having a tooth extracted might seem to be an attractive choice in comparison to the cost and effort involved with salvaging it. But this solution is unlikely to be the best, or even the cheapest, choice over the long run.
When one tooth is extracted, neighbouring teeth will tend to shift.
Once a tooth has been removed, its neighbouring teeth will tend to drift into its vacant space, sometimes significantly so. And any alignment changes that do take place can have a major impact on your dental health and appearance.
Removing even a single tooth can lead to problems with chewing ability or jaw-joint function. Additionally, the spaces that form between shifted teeth can become traps for food and debris. Their presence can place your teeth at greater risk for the formation of tooth decay and gum disease.
Having an extraction may not really be the cheapest solution.
Choosing an extraction may seem to be the least expensive option initially. But this determination may not be accurate when the larger picture is considered.
So to avoid the types of complications mentioned above, in most cases your dentist will recommend to you that you replace your extracted tooth. Replacement teeth can easily cost more than the alternative of not extracting a tooth and instead rebuilding it.
I agree with your each and every point of teeth extraction. Broken, cracked, gum disease from such steps even non-functional teeth may need to be extracted and can't be recovered easily.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Etobicoke Dentist