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Ideally, you would retain all of your healthy, natural adult teeth for life; hence the reason they are often called your permanent teeth. Unfortunately, that might not always be an option; accidental impacts, severe dental infections, and more often cause the premature loss of one or more adult teeth. Sometimes, teeth may need to be extracted to prevent it from causing harm to your other teeth, or the soft oral tissues surrounding it. Though many patients may feel a bit apprehensive about tooth extraction, the procedure may prove to be the most beneficial option, depending on the state of your dental health.

When is tooth extraction the preferable option?

In most cases, the preferable dental treatment is the one that allows you to preserve as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible. Though tooth extraction may seem to contradict that notion, the truth is that the procedure is often recommended to protect the rest of your dental health. Common reasons for tooth extraction can include (but are not limited to);

  • A tooth that is too infected for root canal treatment to resolve
  • Wisdom teeth that have become impacted, pushing against and potentially damaging your other teeth
  • A tooth with too much structural damage to save it (particularly a tooth with a cracked or broken root)
  • One or more teeth that have grown loose due to severe gum disease and/or jawbone deterioration

Will I have to replace my tooth after it is extracted?

With the exception of your wisdom teeth, whose removal actually benefits your dental health, most extracted teeth will require replacement. With one or more teeth missing, your smile could suffer subsequent consequences, such as shifting teeth and a deteriorating jawbone. We may recommend replacing your extracted tooth with a dental implant and crown, which mimic the root and crown of your natural tooth to create a lifelike restoration.

ABOUT YOUR MANSFIELD, TX, DENTISTS:

Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris of Mansfield Dental Associates rely upon their years of experience, training, and cutting-edge technology to offer patients expert dental care at each and every visit. They listen to each patient’s concerns and offer gentle, informative guidance about future treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call 817-473-6227 . Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.