Tooth Extractions in Greenwood
What are Tooth Extractions?
Tooth extraction is the formal dental term for pulling a tooth. While adult teeth are intended to last a lifetime, situations may arise when a tooth needs to be pulled. One of the most common reasons for extraction is when a tooth is beyond repair due to trauma or decay.
What other situations may require extraction?
Dentists often pull teeth to make room in the mouth for orthodontic work. If the mouth is too crowded to fit any equipment inside, teeth will be removed so that the equipment can do its job to properly align the teeth. A crowded mouth can also mean that there’s no room for a tooth to erupt, making extraction necessary.
Infection is another reason a tooth might need to be extracted. If tooth decay or damage extends to the center of the tooth, where nerves and blood vessels meet, bacteria can travel to the body and lead to infection. Typically, this level of an infection can be alleviated by a root canal and antibiotics, which will save the tooth. However, if for specific reasons the problem cannot be fixed with a root canal or antibiotics, an extraction is the next best solution.