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Penticton Dental offers tooth extractions when the tooth is badly damaged, impacted (such as many wisdom teeth) or is decayed beyond repair.
Basic Extractions
An extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. Extractions are sometimes necessary if:
- a primary tooth is preventing the normal eruption of a permanent tooth,
- the tooth has suffered extensive tooth decay or trauma that cannot be repaired
- the patient has gum disease,
- the tooth is impacted (usually the wisdom teeth)
Some extractions can be very straightforward, others require significant surgery but most are done with use of normal local anesthetic and do not require sedation.
Wisdom Teeth
Third molars are more commonly called 'wisdom teeth.' Usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties, they often lack sufficient space in the jaw to erupt fully, or even at all.
When teeth lack the space to erupt normally, the tooth is then considered to be impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can and do commonly cause significant problems including pain, infection, swelling, and damage to adjacent teeth or bone. Impacted teeth are generally indicated for extraction but need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Repairing Excessive Damage
In most cases, your dentist will work to save a tooth whenever possible. However, in some circumstances, such as injury, gum disease, or excessive decay, an extraction is required.
If you have a damaged tooth that needs to be extracted, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options with you, which may include dental bridges, dental crowns, and dentures.