Sometimes, a certain issue with a tooth might not seem like an emergency. If you have tooth decay or damage to one of your tooth’s structures, you might believe you have plenty of time to address it at your convenience. However, the truth is that dental health issues can progress faster than you realize, and in many cases, they can lead to tooth loss or the need to have a tooth extracted. Today, we examine a few things you should remember when faced with the need for tooth extraction, including how you can avoid having to extract another tooth in the future.
Because tooth extraction is usually reserved only for when a tooth can’t be saved, it’s never a good idea to wait any longer to treat it. There are many different potential reasons for needing tooth extraction, from extreme tooth decay to severe tooth damage, impaction, and more. The fact that your tooth is so compromised won’t stop such issues from becoming worse. However, your dentist can extract it to remove the threat that it poses to the rest of your oral health and any discomfort the tooth may be causing. Then, if appropriate, your dentist can recommend replacing the tooth with a lifelike restoration.
If losing a tooth were no big deal, then tooth extraction might be a more frequently recommended treatment option. However, even when it’s planned, tooth loss can immediately begin to effect the surrounding jawbone structure, oral tissues, and remaining healthy teeth. That includes the loss of your tooth root, which can cause your jawbone to lose mass and density from lack of stimulation. To avoid this, your dentist can plan to replace your tooth, preferably with a dental implant, as soon as possible after extracting it.
While the conditions that lead to tooth extraction are progressive, the fact that you need tooth extraction now isn’t a guarantee that you’ll need it again in the future. In fact, by replacing the tooth with a dental implant post, improving your preventive dental care routine, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis, you have a good chance of never losing or having to extract another tooth again.
Tooth extraction is most often a last resort, which makes the procedure even more important for your oral health than you may realize. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Yelena Popkova D.D.S. in Merrimack, NH, today at 603-595-9400. We also serve the residents of Nashua, Hudson, Manchester, Milford, and all surrounding communities.