Extractions

Teeth that are very badly damaged due to trauma or decay may be too difficult to restore and impossible to save and in the end must be removed. Our doctors use the most modern techniques to ensure that this is done safely and as comfortably as possible. Removing wisdom teeth is the most common form of extraction. A tooth can sometimes be in an unusual spot, may be only discoverable with an x-ray. When this occurs exposing the tooth is necessary to move it to where it belongs. Teeth can even be transplanted from one spot in the mouth to another.

Reasons to remove wisdom teeth

While not all wisdom teeth require removal, wisdom teeth extractions are most often performed because of an active problem such as pain, swelling, decay or infection, or as a preventative measure to avoid serious problems in the future. If impaction of one or more wisdom teeth is present, and left untreated, a number of potentially harmful outcomes can occur, including:

• Damage to nearby teeth: Second molars (the teeth directly in front of the wisdom teeth) can be adversely affected by impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in tooth decay (cavities), periodontal disease (gum disease) and possible bone loss.
• Disease: Although uncommon, cysts and tumors can occur in the areas surrounding impacted wisdom teeth.
• Infection: Bacteria and food can become trapped under the gum tissue, resulting in an infection. The infection can cause considerable pain and danger.
• Tooth Crowding: It has been theorized that impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on other teeth and cause them to become misaligned (crowded or twisted). This theory isn’t universally accepted by all dental professionals, and it has never been validated by any scientific studies.