The aim of most dental procedures is to save teeth and prevent issues that would cause them to fall out. However, sometimes there are situations where a tooth needs to be extracted, either because it can’t be saved, or because it will improve the overall health of the teeth and gums. When this is necessary there are multiple options for restoring the extracted tooth. One of the best restoration methods is dental implants.
When is Tooth Extraction Needed?
Tooth extraction is typically carried out when a tooth is so badly damaged that it can’t be saved. In some cases, teeth are removed because they’re having a negative impact on oral health or might do so in the future.
Some possible situations include:
- Removing one or more teeth when the mouth is crowded. Removing teeth creates space to improve the alignment of the remaining teeth.
- Removal of a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed, and can’t be saved with a root canal or other dental procedure.
- Wisdom teeth can become infected or impacted, can cause crowding, and can damage surrounding teeth. The teeth are typically removed if they do start to cause such issues. In addition, if it seems likely that wisdom teeth will cause one or more of these problems, they can be removed as a preventative measure.
Restoring an Extracted Tooth with a Dental Implant
Not all tooth extractions are followed up with a restoration procedure. For instance, if wisdom teeth are removed, or if teeth are removed to make room in a crowded mouth, then those teeth would not be restored.
On the other hand, when teeth are removed due to damage, disease, or decay, then they can be replaced via a method such as a dental implant, bridge, or dentures. Dental implants are the preferred restoration method when possible, as implants offer some important advantages over other restoration methods.
- Dental implants are the only restoration method that functions just like natural teeth do. They have as much biting and chewing power as natural teeth, whereas bridges and dentures have less biting and chewing power.
- Dental implants are permanently fixed in the mouth. This means you take care of them just like natural teeth, and they don’t slip in the mouth the way that dentures often do.
- Tooth loss leads to loss of bone density in underlying jawbone, which changes the shape of the face over time. Dental implants are the only tooth restoration method that prevents this.
Interested in Learning More about Dental Implants?
Are you missing one or more teeth, or do you need to have a tooth extraction? Dental implants are a great choice for restoration, with many advantages over other kinds of tooth restoration methods. To learn more about dental implants and how they can help you, talk to your dentist.