Choosing to extract a tooth can be a more complicated decision than choosing any other dental treatment option. Once the tooth is extracted, all of its natural structure will be gone, and there’s not turning back. However, if your dentist recommends extracting the tooth, then it’s important to consider the reason why. In most cases, the tooth can’t be saved, and its presence poses a continued threat to the rest of your oral health. Today, we take a closer look at what it means to need tooth extraction, and what you can expect for your smile and oral health afterward.
Making the decision to extract a tooth
There are many good reasons why your dentist doesn’t recommend tooth extraction unless it’s necessary. In most other restorative treatments, one of the most important treatment goals is to preserve a maximum amount of your healthy, natural tooth structure. Extracting the tooth is the antithesis of this goal, and the loss of the tooth itself can also have negative impacts on your oral health. However, the recommendation to extract the tooth means that the tooth is compromised severely enough that it poses a greater immediate threat to your smile and oral health.
The potential risks of waiting too long
When deciding whether to extract a tooth, it’s important to consider all of the consequences. For instance, the consequences of extracting the tooth can be negative overall if you ignore the loss of the tooth structure. However, waiting too long to extract the tooth can also have more immediate negative impacts. These can depend on the specific reason why the tooth needs to be extracted, but in many cases, waiting may lead to more complications with your oral health. In addition to extracting the tooth, you might also have to deal with one or more other oral health concerns by the time you do seek treatment.
Restoring your smile after tooth extraction
The potential consequences of losing a tooth are among the biggest reasons why patients may hesitate to extract a tooth. Fortunately, many of them can be encouraged to seek treatment faster if they plan on restoring their smile by replacing the tooth afterward. For instance, with a dental implant and crown, which mimic your tooth’s natural root and crown structures, you can regain most of the tooth’s function after it’s been extracted. This can help you prevent the potential impacts of losing the tooth structure and enjoy a healthier, fuller smile afterward.
Learn why your tooth needs to be extracted
The need for tooth extraction isn’t always the same for everyone, but the seriousness of the situation is something you should always take seriously. To learn more, schedule an appointment or initial consultation by calling Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI, today at (248) 852-1820.
