Know the Signs a Tooth may need to be Extracted

Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA

It’s not uncommon to associate dentists with pulling teeth. While our Bloomsburg general dentists, Drs. Joel Hamilton and Leigh Jacopetti-Kondraski strive to save damaged teeth when possible, sometimes an extraction is the best choice for patients. How do you know when a tooth needs to be extracted?

Hamilton Dental Care is sharing three common reasons dentists recommend an extraction

1. When teeth are impacted – This means a tooth is not erupting from the gum line as it should, which is common with wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth mean that they are developed but remain under the gums, and generally are sideways or are only partially able to erupt. This becomes apparent in one’s teens or early twenties. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, the general consensus is to remove them to prevent crowding or damage to other permanent teeth.
2. Significant dental damage – If a tooth becomes seriously compromised due to decay, an injury, and the tooth is not able to be saved with restorative treatments, an extraction may be recommended. Such is the case when a tooth breaks at or below the gum line, or if the tooth is severely decayed to the point that there is not enough healthy tooth structure to withstand a restoration such as a crown or filling.
3. Pre-orthodontic treatment – In some cases, teeth are extracted before receiving orthodontic care. The purpose of these extractions is to allow room for the remaining teeth to straighten throughout the orthodontic treatment. Extractions of this nature are not necessary in every case but may be needed in instances where there is severe dental crowding or narrow upper dental arch.

Reasons Not to Postpone an Extraction

If your Bloomsburg general dentists recommend an extraction, it is for a good reason. Ignoring the problem tooth will not make it go away, and could lead to chronic pain, infection, or worse. If you think that you might need an extraction, contact Hamilton Dental Care for an evaluation.

What to Expect

Hamilton Dental Care prefers to avoid tooth loss whenever possible but can perform an extraction to maintain your overall oral health.

The dentist will review your dental and medical history to make sure you can have a tooth extracted without any significant risk of complications. Dental X-rays will be needed to assess the tooth’s root structure and damage that cannot be seen by a visual examination.  

After your tooth is extracted, you can expect some degree of swelling and discomfort. You can manage the swelling with ice packs the day of the procedure, then apply warm compresses in the following days to help relieve any discomfort you may be experiencing. Usually, over the counter pain relievers is enough to curb any discomfort you may experience after your extraction. Maintain a diet of soft foods for the first few days after your extraction, while avoiding smoking or drinking through a straw.

Emergency Dentists in Bloomsburg

If you would like to learn more about dental extractions or to schedule an emergency dental visit at our Bloomsburg office, contact Hamilton Dental Care by calling (570) 387-0533. We provide dental care the areas of Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA.