When Tooth Extraction is the Best Solution

Tooth removal is sometimes the best solution for your oral health. Some reasons a tooth is removed are the growth of wisdom teeth or an infection that doesn't clear up. Another reason for tooth extraction is to make space in your mouth so that your teeth can be aligned using braces.

When you visit Dr. Juan M. Carrillo’s Soothing Dental Care practice in Richmond, Virginia, our trusted specialists ensure compassionate attention to your oral health needs. Committed to providing premium dental care, Dr. Carrillo and our outstanding staff guide you in long-term pain relief options. Sometimes that includes a tooth extraction. 

Reasons for tooth extraction

There are a few reasons Dr. Carrillo may extract a tooth.

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth can be a source of mouth and jaw pain for many patients. They are a third set of molars that eventually through the jawbone and break the gumline. This can be quite uncomfortable, which is why wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure. 

Wisdom teeth have no function, so if they’re causing pain or other teeth to become misaligned, an extraction is the best solution.

Infection

A tooth extraction due to infection is a last resort effort to keep you healthy. In many cases, an infection is treated with a root canal or filling. Dr. Carrillo preserves whenever he can. However, if tooth decay persists, it causes serious problems. 

The center of your tooth is called the pulp, which is where the blood vessels and nerves are. If an infection reaches the pulp of a tooth, and it isn’t cleared up by a root canal procedure or antibiotics, tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading.

Gum disease

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum tissue and bones surrounding your teeth. According to WebMD, it's the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The primary cause of gum disease is plaque accumulation, but other risk factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene habits, hormonal changes, and a family history of dental disease.

Gum disease creates pockets of bacteria, causing an infection that can eventually loosen the tooth. Once this disease has spread, it might be necessary to remove the infected tooth. Fortunately, gum disease can easily be prevented with regular checkups. 

Alignment

Sometimes people who wear braces to correct crooked teeth must have a tooth or teeth removed to free space in the mouth.

Proper tooth alignment is necessary to prevent pockets of bacteria from spreading infection. Just like wisdom teeth, misaligned teeth can cause issues like gum disease. Straight teeth ensure top-notch oral health practices. 

What to expect during a tooth extraction

Dr. Carrillo understands that a tooth extraction procedure makes many patients nervous. Fortunately, the process is short, and you’ll experience minimal discomfort. The area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel anything. The doctor may need to remove a layer of gum tissue to reach the offending tooth. After that, he gently rocks the tooth back and forth until it’s pulled free from bone and ligaments.

Gauze is placed in the empty socket to help stop bleeding. If Dr. Carrillo uses stitches, they'll dissolve on their own, so you don't have to worry about a second trip to the dentist.

Do you have a tooth giving you problems? Call Dr. Carrillo’s office today at 804-201-9459 to make an appointment for a consultation, or use our convenient online scheduling tool.