Will Emergency Dentist Extract Teeth?
Emergencies can happen, and sometimes they result in the need to have a tooth removed. An emergency tooth extraction is not the common treatment for a dental emergency. Most dental emergencies require dental bonding, an artificial crown, or some stitches. But there are some cases when a tooth extraction may be the best option to treat an emergency. Below is more information on emergency tooth extractions and when it may be necessary for a dentist to perform this treatment.
When is an emergency tooth extraction necessary?
Having a tooth removed is not fun, especially when you aren’t expecting it. However, there are some dental emergencies that may require a tooth extraction. Some examples include:
- An infected tooth: If an infected tooth is left untreated, the infection can spread quickly and cause extensive damage to other teeth and your overall health. This is why it is important to treat an infection before it becomes severe. If a tooth infection is left untreated for too long, it may be necessary to extract the infected tooth immediately in order to eliminate the infection from spreading further. After the extraction the dentist will prescribe antibiotics and develop a treatment plan to replace the extracted tooth.
- An accident: More severe oral injuries that are the result of a car accident, a serious fall, or a sports injury may require emergency dental services and an emergency tooth extraction. Prior to extraction, the dentist will do their best to treat the injured area and preserve the damaged teeth, however, this is not always possible. Fortunately, there are many high-quality tooth replacement options available to effectively replace any missing teeth.
- Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease, often called gum disease, can progress overtime and deteriorate the supporting gums and tissue causing teeth to become loose. For individuals who do not see their dentist regularly, and who have gum disease that is not being treated, an emergency tooth extraction may be a last-minute solution to deal with advanced periodontal disease. Extracting a tooth may be necessary to help treat an infection that has spread into the bone and tissue below the tooth.
- Impacted Tooth: An impacted tooth is a tooth that is trapped below the gumline. There are many reasons why a tooth may become impacted. If there is not enough space between nearby teeth, or if the tooth is misaligned below the gums, it may not be able to erupt. An impacted tooth left untreated can result in an infection. An emergency extraction may be necessary if an impacted tooth is causing damage or infection in the mouth.
A tooth extraction will never be a dentists first treatment choice, however if infected or impacted teeth or severe gum disease are left untreated, your dentist may have no other choice. If you think you have any of the conditions that may result in a tooth extraction and you have not visited your dentist recently, it may be a good time to call and schedule a visit with your dentist today.
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