What are Some Causes for an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

A Dental professional will almost always find ways to save a tooth before it is extracted. And in some extreme cases, the extraction of the tooth is necessary if it is an emergency. There are many reasons as to why a tooth may need to be extracted. If the tooth is broken, chipped, infected, or a victim of gum disease then these teeth may need to be removed. However, it’s important to know the difference between a regular tooth extraction and an emergency tooth extraction. It’s critical for you to know before stressing over something that you feel may be an emergency over something that could wait for your next dental appointment.

Here are some of the reasons as to why an emergency tooth extraction may be needed.

• An accident: If the patient has been in an unfortunate car accident, they may require immediate dental work and emergency assistance directly after the accident. If the teeth are in need of treating chips and breaks in teeth, dental bonding may be a great way to save most of these teeth. However, dental bonding cannot save the breaks or cracks that are well below the gum line, if this is the case the tooth will need to be extracted in order to avoid any infections in the near future.
• Dental crowding: Unfortunately, some patients end up growing teeth that may be too large to fit in their jaw. An emergency tooth extraction may be necessary if overcrowding becomes painful in a patient’s mouth. The patient will benefit from the removal to help align with the teeth and alleviate the pain.
• Excessive decay: when a tooth pulp becomes infected, it can usually be saved with a root canal procedure. The infected pulp can generally be removed, and the internal tooth can be cleaned and filled with a dental filling to save the tooth from being extracted. However, if the infection or decay has spread far beyond repair, the tooth will need to be extracted in order to keep the infection from spreading as well as alleviating the pain and swelling involved.
• Gum Disease: A Periodontal disease is an extreme form of gum disease that causes gums to pull away from natural teeth. When teeth are not cleaned properly or flossed properly, tartar and plaque buildup will start to form along the gum line. The gums will slowly start to pull away from the teeth as they lose their grip from the plaque buildup. When this happens, and the situation is severe, some teeth will be beyond saving and will need to be extracted. The reason the tooth will need to be extracted is that an infection will build in the pockets between the teeth and gums. The infection will spread and affect the bone tissue below.

There are many other reasons as to why an emergency tooth extraction maybe needed. If you are unsure if you are fit for an emergency tooth extraction, it may be wise to contact your dental professional and express the issues you may be having. If there are faster solutions to improve your oral health, your dentist will be sure to communicate these resolutions.

Contact Ritter and Ramsey today for more information about tooth extractions or to set up your consultation.

Interested in learning more about extractions? Read about the healing process after a tooth extraction here.