Do I Really Need a Tooth Extraction?

Learning you need to have a tooth pulled isn’t welcome news. In virtually every case, though, your dentist only recommends this treatment when your oral health absolutely needs it.

We can help you figure out if that applies to you. 

Here at Family Dental Care, Dr. Sujay Trivedi and Dr. Michael Westcott offer tooth extractions — but we don’t always recommend them. First, we’ll explore our options to save a damaged or deeply decayed tooth, including root canal therapy. In short, when you visit us in West Palm Beach, Florida, we only advise having an extraction when it’s necessary.

When you really need to have the tooth pulled

The most common reason for tooth extraction comes from the extra set of molars in the back of your mouth: your wisdom teeth. Some people have sufficient space in their mouth to allow those molars to grow in. In many cases, though, the wisdom teeth would come in at a bad angle or crowd other teeth. 

If allowing the wisdom teeth to grow in would cause a problem, Dr. Westcott and Dr. Trivedi recommend having them extracted before they erupt, when they’re still below the gums. 

Beyond wisdom teeth, some common scenarios that warrant pulling a tooth include:

• Severe tooth decay that can’t be fixed with a filling or root canal
• Impaction (a tooth that can’t erupt and is stuck below the gums)
• A problem with the root of the tooth (i.e., a long, curving root)
• A broken tooth, especially one that’s broken off at the gum line
• Excessive tooth crowding that may result in a bite misalignment 

You might also need a tooth pulled because of severe gum disease or after a traumatic accident. In either case, if your tooth’s support system of soft tissue and bone becomes too compromised, tooth extraction is often the only option. 

The bottom line on tooth extractions? Dr. Trivedi and Dr. Westcott only suggest this route when your mouth absolutely needs it. 

What to expect with tooth extraction

If you do need to get your tooth pulled, you needn’t worry. We tailor our treatment plan to your needs in an effort to make the process as comfortable and convenient as possible.

That starts with digital X-rays so we can see what’s going on under your gum line. This helps us to determine the best way to get the tooth out. Then, we numb the area thoroughly. You may feel some pressure during extraction, but it shouldn’t be painful at all. 

Once we have the tooth out, we pack the socket with gauze and give you instructions so you can properly care for it as it heals. That usually means taking over-the-counter pain relievers and taking it easy for a couple of days. 

To see if your tooth extraction is really necessary, call our Family Dental Care team at 561-556-1698 today, or schedule an appointment online at your convenience.