When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?

Sometimes a tooth extraction is needed to prevent damage or infection to other permanent teeth. Removing a tooth due to decay, gum disease, impaction, or damage can help improve patients’ oral health. We ensure that our patients feel comfortable when they receive extraction treatment. Local anesthetic and dental sedation numb the treated area and provide relaxing care for our patients. If you require a tooth extraction, please contact our office in Bethesda, MD.

tooth extraction in Bethesda, Maryland

Tooth Extractions in Bethesda, MD

Extractions can be a helpful treatment for patients who feel extreme pain and discomfort due to infected, impacted, and damaged teeth. Dental extractions can address a variety of dental problems, including:

Dental Infection

A tooth abscess or cavity causes toothaches and pain for many patients. An abscess is a pocket of pus underneath the tooth. Cavities are holes or pits in the enamel that can expose the nerves within the tooth. Severe dental infections can infect a tooth’s living cells, blood vessels, and nerves.

If possible, we try to address an infection or abscess with a root canal, which allows our team to preserve the tooth. However, once the infection or abscess kills the tooth, we must remove it for patients’ health. Removing a problem tooth can also prevent infection from reaching surrounding teeth.

Gum Disease

While gum disease begins with bleeding and irritated gums, it can eventually lead to permanent gum damage and recession. There are multiple stages of gum disease. In the advanced stages of gum disease, the connective tissue between the teeth and gums dissolves. Over time, gum disease can loosen permanent teeth and degrade the gum tissue.

We can recommend treatment to help manage the disease and prevent further tooth loss. However, some patients may need an extraction if they do not receive healthy gum tissue soon enough.

Wisdom Teeth

The wisdom teeth typically erupt in patients’ late teens or early 20s. They can become impacted if there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can cause misalignment, infections, and damage. Removing wisdom teeth can prevent these problems. We will not need to replace wisdom teeth because they are the last teeth to emerge behind the molars. Removing the wisdom teeth does not negatively impact the smile.

Broken and Damaged Teeth

We may remove a tooth if you have severe tooth damage and will not benefit from a dental crown. Removing a broken or damaged tooth can prevent damage to other teeth. Removing and replacing these teeth can also prevent uneven pressure on the bite.

If you need a dental extraction but are anxious about feeling pain or missing a tooth, don’t worry. Our team offers local anesthetic and dental sedation for patient comfort. We can also replace missing teeth with a dental implant, dental bridge, or denture. These dental restorations replace teeth at the root and look just like natural teeth. Call 301.500.2205 for comfortable extraction treatment today. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Srotalina Khanna for treatment today.