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Extractions That Help Prevent Dental Issues

by April Myers

Many people dread the thought of having a tooth extracted. When they think of missing teeth, they may ponder images of tooth decay and gum disease. However, not all extractions are associated with restorative dental care. A dentist may perform an extraction to prevent the development of oral health problems.

Here are a few types of extractions that help prevent dental issues.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

The wisdom teeth are the last molars to present in the mouth. They are located at the very back of the oral cavity and can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss. Additionally, due to the limited space in the mouth, a wisdom tooth may not present in a straight configuration.

In fact, some wisdom teeth may grow sideways beneath the gums, placing uncomfortable pressure on the adjacent teeth. This pressure can eventually force the nearby teeth out of their alignment and necessitate an orthodontic correction to fix the resulting issue. 

A dentist can verify the positioning of the wisdom teeth using a dental x-ray. Thus, they can discover a problem with the teeth before any symptoms arise or damage is caused to nearby teeth. 

If a problem with the wisdom teeth is present, the dentist can remove the teeth. The removal of the wisdom teeth that are still below the surface of the gums is performed through a surgical extraction since the gingival tissues must be cut during the procedure. However, a simple extraction is used to remove a wisdom tooth that has fully presented and may be pulled from the socket in one piece.

Extractions for Crowding

For some people, the oral cavity is not large enough to accommodate the number of teeth in their mouth. As a result, some of the teeth, although healthy, may present in a misaligned pattern. In some cases, there may even be two rows of teeth in certain places along the palate. 

Dental crowding can make it difficult to clean the teeth properly. As a result, the crowded configuration can eventually incite tooth decay. 

To remove the extra teeth that may be a part of a double row or to provide additional space for the teeth to be moved through orthodontic treatment, the dentist may perform extractions. The teeth that are removed may be healthy, but without their removal, the overall oral health could suffer over time.

To learn more about dental extractions and how they can help protect your oral health, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.