Our emergency dentist will do everything in his power to save your tooth. However, sometimes the tooth is too badly damaged to be saved. Continue reading to learn the 5 most common reasons we may recommend an emergency tooth extraction.
1.) IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH
Wisdom teeth are the third molars that erupt in your late teens to early twenties. While some people are able to keep their wisdom teeth, others simply don’t have room in their jaws. When this happens, wisdom teeth push other teeth out of their way or get stuck underneath the gums.
Call our emergency dentist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing wisdom tooth pain. Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend wisdom teeth removal before your oral health is compromised. For example, X-rays can reveal stuck beneath the gum line.
2.) FRACTURED TOOTH UNDER GUMS
Your teeth absorb a lot of the impact of chewing food. If your teeth don’t fit perfectly together when you bite down, the force from chewing could eventually crack your lower molars. You may also have a higher risk for a cracked tooth if you recently had a root canal or large filling. If the tooth fractured beneath the gum line, we’ll need to extract it as soon as possible.
3.) SEVERE TOOTH DECAY
Tooth decay is caused by untreated dental plaque and tartar buildup. Our can only save a tooth if there’s more healthy tooth structure than decayed structure. You’ll need emergency tooth extraction once a cavity grows beyond what can be repaired by a filling, crown, or root canal.
4.) PERIODONTAL DISEASE
While gingivitis (gum inflammation) is reversible with routine teeth cleanings and good oral hygiene, the same can’t be said once it progresses into periodontitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontitis.
Periodontitis attacks the gums and other structures supporting your teeth. Once your gums recede enough, your teeth have less support and are more likely to fall out or need extraction. Periodontitis can’t be cured, but your dentist can slow its progression through scaling and root planing.
5.) CROWDED TEETH
If you have more teeth than what can fit in your jaw, your dentist may suggest tooth extraction to prevent crowding. For example, many patients may have a tooth removed for orthodontic reasons so they can achieve a straight smile. Most dentists and orthodontists prefer not having to extract a tooth before beginning orthodontics. However, it can be necessary for certain patients.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our dentist will first numb your tooth and surrounding tissue so you don’t feel any pain. Instead, you’ll only feel pressure on your tooth. Our dentist will then use a tool called an elevator to loosen the tooth. He’ll then extract the tooth using forceps. It may be necessary for our dentist to place a few stitches over the extraction site. These will usually be self-dissolving stitches.
Immediately after your procedure, we’ll have you bite down on a gauze pad to stem the bleeding. Exerting pressure helps your blood clot, which covers the bone in your socket. We’ll then give you specific aftercare instructions to follow while you recover at home.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH US
Dr. Ryan Lebster and his team offer emergency tooth extraction as a last resort to protect your oral health. To schedule an appointment with our Holland emergency dentist, call RediDental Emergency Dental Care at (616) 796-3200.
This blog post has been updated.
