Aug
Losing a tooth can have a devastating impact on your smile and self-confidence. If your dentist recommends a tooth extraction, you will want to ask questions and determine your options. Many times, extracting a tooth may be the best option for maintaining good oral and dental health. Dr. Yvonne Caton-Hospedales at Your Smile Dental Wellness Center in McDonough, Georgia, can answer your questions and provide the best possible solutions for improving your smile.
If broken or damaged teeth are beyond repair, extracting them is in your best interest. Leaving them in place can result in damage to the soft tissues that surround them. Dr. Caton-Hospedales will thoroughly examine each tooth to determine whether or not they can be safely repaired. If repairs are possible, you will be given solutions that will be used to restore and support the tooth. She will discuss the process and what can be done afterward if an extraction is recommended.
Wisdom teeth are the last ones to appear. They are at the very back of the mouth and rather large. Due to their size and location, they may not have the space to fully erupt through the gums. They may be forced to come in at an angle that puts your other teeth at risk. If they come in at the wrong angle, they can place pressure on your other teeth, resulting in various types of damage. To prevent damage to your other teeth or a misalignment of your jaw, we may recommend having them extracted.
If a patient has a small jaw, not all permanent teeth may fit comfortably in their mouth. Once all your adult teeth have come in, Dr. Caton-Hospedales can identify areas where your teeth may not have the needed space. Pulling one or more of them will allow your other teeth to shift to a more comfortable location. If this is an option, she may recommend wearing a dental appliance that will allow your teeth to regain the support they need in their new position.
If a tooth is knocked loose, it is likely to heal on its own and be as secure as ever. However, there are some situations where a tooth that has been knocked completely out can be successfully restored to its natural position. This must be attempted as soon as possible after an accident. If the injury causes extensive damage to the soft tissues, it may be recommended that the tooth be removed permanently.
The first step in preventing tooth loss is maintaining good dental care. Often, tooth extractions result from advanced gum disease or tooth decay. At Your Smile Dental Wellness Center in McDonough, GA, Dr. Caton-Hospedales can provide tips on keeping your teeth and gums in good condition. Understanding why tooth extractions occur is the best way to prevent them. Call us at (770) 727-3378 to schedule an appointment.