You had a feeling that something was wrong with your tooth before your dental appointment, but since it wasn’t causing any pain, you weren’t too concerned. Maybe you just need whitening or a filling? So, it came as a big surprise when the dentist confidently told you that the tooth needed to be extracted, and that it should be done as soon as possible.
Teeth only need to be extracted when they hurt, right? Actually, that’s not the case for many patients. In many cases, removing a tooth can address a variety of problems, and more importantly, prevent more serious problems from developing.
Reasons That a Tooth Might Need to Be Extracted
(Even Though It Doesn’t Hurt)
- Excessive Tooth Decay: Teeth with deep, non-restorable decay that reach the bone or roots must be extracted to prevent the decay from spreading.
- Fracture: Severe vertical or horizontal fractures often make teeth unsalvageable and require removal.
- Infection: Untreated tooth decay can lead to infections that may spread to other parts of the body. While antibiotics may slow down the infection, they do not eliminate it.
- Excessive Crowding: Teeth may be removed before orthodontics to prevent misalignment, bone loss, and hygiene issues.
- Medical Clearance: Risky teeth are extracted before cardiac surgery or joint replacement to prevent infection.
- Impacted Teeth: Non-erupted teeth can damage adjacent teeth or lead to cysts and decay. Extraction is typically the best solution, particularly for wisdom teeth.
- Dental Trauma: Teeth broken or loosened beyond repair from injury often require removal.
- Failed Treatments: Teeth that received multiple restorative treatments, like crowns, fillings, or root canals, can eventually fail and need extraction.
Why is There No Pain?
If the tooth has such a serious problem, why do you not feel any pain? You might not feel pain for two reasons. First, the decay may only involve the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) and the surrounding bone, which have few nerve endings. Second, the nerve could be so damaged that it has died. Although this prevents discomfort, it can allow decay or infection to spread, impacting neighboring teeth.
Next Steps After Your Extraction Procedure
If you need a tooth extraction, you can trust one of our board-certified oral surgeons to keep you comfortable during the procedure and help you replace the tooth quickly. Their specialized training allows them to remove teeth in a way that preserves as much bone as possible, setting the stage for placing a dental implant, bridge, or denture.
Meet the Practice
Conestoga Oral Surgery is led by a team of board-certified oral surgeons who serve patients at our three convenient locations in Lancaster, Lititz, and Hershey. Since 1985, we have provided the highest level of care and service to our communities, building a reputation of excellence and trust throughout the region.
If your dentist has recommended an extraction, or if you think one of your teeth might need to be removed, you can schedule an appointment with our team by calling (717) 394-3033..