The Need for Tooth Extraction
Our ultimate goal is to help you enjoy a youthful smile for life by preserving and bolstering your natural teeth and oral tissues. In some cases, however, a tooth can’t be effectively saved and extraction may be the best way to protect the rest of your oral health. For instance, if a tooth is severely broken or extensively infected with decay, then it may not be enough to try to restore the tooth. Instead, extracting it can prevent tooth infection from spreading or stop a broken tooth structure from becoming more problematic. If Dr. Lawson suggests tooth extraction, then your treatment plan may also include an appropriate choice to replace the tooth, such as a dental implant and crown.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Impacted wisdom teeth, or third molars, are among the most frequently extracted teeth due to the many complications they can cause. Third molars, which erupt around the ages of 17-25, often don’t have enough room to develop and grow properly. As a result, they can shift within your jawbone, growing at an angle and pushing against nearby teeth. The more they develop, the more discomfort and pressure wisdom teeth cause, and extracting the molars will be the only way to stop them. Because the third molars are extraneous (they’re not necessary for a healthy, well-balanced bite), you won’t have to replace an extracted wisdom tooth.
If your wisdom teeth have become problematic, or if you have a tooth that cannot be restored, speak with Dr. Lawson about the advantages of tooth extraction and replacement. Schedule a consultation by calling our dental office in Urbandale, IA, today at 515-278-4366.
