Extractions

Considering Extraction for a Decayed Tooth

When an extraction is required

When a tooth is severely decayed and cannot be saved, removing it can be the best choice for alleviating pain and blocking the spread of infection.

Most decayed teeth can be saved

Most decayed teeth can be treated effectively with a filling or crown. But for these treatments to work, there must be enough healthy tooth structure above the jawbone to support the restoration.

For example, a crown is often used to cover, shield, and restore a tooth that’s been damaged by decay. The crown fastens to the part of the tooth that’s above the bone, so a sufficient amount of tooth structure must remain to support the crown securely.

Some teeth cannot be saved

If too much of your tooth has been severely damaged by decay, there isn’t adequate healthy tooth structure left to hold a restoration. In this case, we may have no option but to remove what remains of the tooth.

Diagnosis and treatment

To conclude if an extraction is right for your circumstance, we’ll perform an in-depth exam, which normally includes x-rays.

If the tooth cannot be saved, it’s vital to extract it as soon as possible to prevent infection in the tooth and jawbone. With current dental practices, the procedure should be a comfortable one for you. In many cases, we also advise replacing an extracted tooth to preserve the jawbone and stabilize your bite, so we’ll talk with you about your replacement possibilities.