Any dentist’s main objective is to help you keep your natural teeth. However, occasionally teeth suffer from too much decay or damage to the point that they can no longer be saved. Although we make every effort to save every tooth, there are situations when tooth extraction is the most effective strategy to protect your oral health. Our Tucson, Arizona dentists, Drs. Bell, Hornsby, Spaeth, Biede, and Hiremath, at Dental Excellence, will put your comfort first if you require a tooth extraction.

What is a Tooth Extraction

Simply put, tooth extraction is the surgical removal of one or more teeth. A dental extraction is typically the last option when all other options have failed to save a tooth.

Reasons For a Dental Extraction

Permanent teeth are designed to last a lifetime. The ultimate goal of brushing, flossing, and regular dental exams are to protect your natural teeth against decay and other types of degradation for as long as possible. It is crucial to keep the teeth healthy for aesthetic reasons and to maintain the mouth’s masticatory function. Nobody intentionally wants to have their teeth extracted, but in some circumstances, extraction may be the only choice if the teeth are too damaged. There are, nevertheless, some situations and reasons when you may require tooth extraction.

Damage and Decay: An injured tooth that has suffered substantial damage and cannot be restored through restorative measures must be extracted. If damaged teeth are not removed, they can cause severe pain and discomfort. Bacteria can occasionally enter the tooth’s pulp and cause irreparable decay. Tooth extraction is the only solution when a root canal is not an option.

Abscess and Infection: The pulp, found at the center of the tooth and connected to nerves and blood vessels, may be affected by tooth damage or dental decay. When bacteria get within the pulp, an infection may worsen over time. The only alternatives for infected teeth to stop the spread of disease is tooth extraction or root canal therapy (RCT). Additionally, to reduce the risk of infection, patients whose immune systems have been impaired (such as those who have had cancer or organ transplants) may need to have certain teeth extracted.

Overcrowding:  Extraction could be required to relieve the mouth’s overcrowding. If you need to receive orthodontic treatment and there isn’t enough room for the teeth to move, we may recommend a tooth extraction. And in cases when teeth no longer fit comfortably in the mouth, we may need to extract teeth to ensure appropriate alignment. When we remove a tooth from an overcrowded mouth, there is more room for the other teeth to move into their ideal positions.

Gum Disease and Loose Teeth: Most patients are shocked to find that gum disease may require tooth extraction. An infection of the gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and other structures surrounding the teeth is called periodontal disease. The gums, tissues, and bones that support and surround the teeth may become infected due to severe gum disorders. The teeth get progressively looser as the tooth support structures degenerate. The teeth will eventually fall out or need to be extracted, followed by tooth replacement if gum disease is allowed to progress.

Tooth Extraction Process

Tooth extraction is a safe process that does not take more than an hour. To start with, we will decide whether we can salvage the tooth. We go to tremendous lengths to preserve every tooth because we view them as a valuable resource. We advise removal only when saving the tooth is not possible. 

We will use a local anesthetic to numb your tooth, jawbone, and surrounding gums before the extraction. We use forceps to remove the tooth once the area has already become numb. You will feel some pressure during the procedure but should not experience any pain.

We will then pack the area with a gauze pad and have you bite on it. Your dentist might advise taking painkillers like ibuprofen over the next few days because some discomfort will linger even after the extraction.

Teeth Extractions in Tucson, AZ

You may need a tooth extraction if you have tooth pain, gum swelling, or other infection-related symptoms. If an extraction is required, our experts at Dental Excellence will carefully examine your mouth to make that determination. We are experienced in same-day dental extractions and can quickly take care of your tooth extraction. Schedule a consultation with your dentist right away if you believe you need a dental extraction in Tucson, AZ.