Teeth endure wear and tear every day, but trauma or decay can sometimes be too much to handle. That's why a dentist may recommend teeth extraction to protect your smile's alignment and oral health. Here are a few cases when extraction is recommended.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

1. Overcrowding

Overcrowded teeth not only cause a crooked smile but can also affect oral health. It's much harder to clean between crowded, misaligned teeth. In some cases, orthodontics can straighten the smile, but in others, it may be necessary to remove one or more teeth before the others can align correctly.

2. Severe Decay

Decay-causing bacteria erode the protective enamel layer on your teeth by creating acids as they consume sugar. Without daily oral hygiene, cavities will develop, and the bacteria can then infect the nerves inside the tooth, essentially killing it.

In some cases, placing a protective cap can save the tooth. But if the bacteria have spread into the gum tissue, they can reach other teeth, which is when extraction is necessary to remove the infection. 

3. Trauma

If a significant portion of a tooth breaks off in an accident or after biting a hard object, the exposed root chambers are at risk of infection. A dentist can try performing root canal therapy, which involves removing the infected nerve tissue and sealing the tooth with dental cement. But if the remaining structure is too brittle or the infection has spread to surrounding teeth, they'll likely opt to remove the tooth.

4. Wisdom Teeth

The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that appear between the ages of 17 and 25. They often shift other teeth as they emerge, creating alignment problems. In other cases, they get trapped below the second molars, becoming impacted and infected. 

Schedule X-rays if you're in this age range and have wisdom teeth coming in. An oral surgeon can check on where the wisdom teeth are and create a teeth extraction plan if necessary.

Preserve your smile by working with the team at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska. Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons Drs. Bergeron, Jr. and Holloway lead this Anchorage practice and treat a variety of conditions. Their services include teeth extractions, jaw surgeries, and dental implants, which you can learn more about online. Call (907) 561-1430 to schedule a consultation.