The preservation of patients’ natural teeth is one of the primary goals of dentistry, but it is sometimes necessary to remove a troubled tooth to protect the health of the rest of the smile. While it can be easy to understand that you need an extraction if your tooth is in terrible pain, you may be reluctant to believe your dentist if they recommend removing a tooth that doesn’t hurt at all. Here’s why removing a tooth that doesn’t hurt may be necessary to protect your oral and overall health.
The Infection Is Severe; You Just Don’t Feel It Yet
Tooth decay is a dental infection that begins as a cavity in the enamel. Cavities will not get better without the intervention of a qualified dentist, but they may not cause any discomfort at first since the outer layers of the teeth do not contain any nerve endings. In some cases, tooth decay can become incredibly severe without causing any pain. If your tooth is beyond saving, removing it may be the best way to prevent a miserable toothache as well as secondary infections.
The Infection Has Already Killed Your Tooth
In some cases, an individual may experience miserable tooth pain for several days only for the problem to seemingly disappear suddenly. While this may seem like a cause for celebration, it is quite likely that this happened because the infection killed the nerve endings inside the pulp of your tooth, which prevents them from sending pain signals to the brain. At this point, it’s usually best to remove the tooth to prevent further infection.
The Tooth Extraction Process
While the thought of having a tooth removed may be daunting at first, modern tooth extractions are rendered completely painless by local anesthetics. After your mouth is sufficiently numb, your dentist will use a special device called an elevator to lift the tooth from its socket before working it loose from the tissue with forceps. You’ll be given detailed aftercare instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery process, and your dentist will probably recommend replacing the lost tooth with an implant or bridge as soon as possible.
Giving in to a false sense of security can be a recipe for dental disaster. If your dentist recommends extraction, you can rest assured that it is the best option for your smile.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry offers outstanding oral care to the people of Dallas. Led by Drs. Bobby Shirley, Clay Cannon, and Jack Bickford, the staff treats each patient with remarkable courtesy and genuine compassion in a comfortable and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as tooth extractions. If you are concerned about tooth decay, contact the practice online or dial (770) 445-6606.
