When Is a Tooth Extraction a Dental Emergency?

Wondering whether a dental emergency may require tooth extraction? In this article, you will find out when tooth extraction is a dental emergency procedure. The latest advancements in dentistry have increased the chances of saving a tooth after a dental emergency. However, sometimes to maintain oral health, tooth extraction is inevitable.

When tooth extraction is a dental emergency

The following are factors that necessitate a tooth extraction:

Dental trauma

Teeth crowding, trauma and disease are the most common reasons for tooth extraction. Dental trauma often occurs during sports, and the treatment depends on the affected area, the nature of the injury, and its severity. Saving a tooth that cracks or breaks along the gum line is usually impossible, and extraction is the only solution.

When a patient suffers dental trauma, the dentist will perform an x-ray of the tooth, and if it looks good enough to survive another 10 years of use, the dental professional will attempt to save it. However, if a severe infection has set in and previous attempts to save the tooth have proved futile, the best option may be emergency tooth extraction. The dentist will review the patient's options first, but emergency tooth extraction may help stop the pain and additional damage.

Severe gum disease

The chances of saving a tooth are poor when the gum pockets are deeper than five millimeters, or there is severe bone deterioration. The dentist will evaluate the gum's condition and determine the severity of the disease. Performing emergency tooth extraction might be necessary to reduce pain and prevent further decay and infection.

Tooth abscess

A tooth abscess is an infection that results in swelling and pus around the teeth. The abscess develops inside the tooth and can cause severe oral pain. Sometimes, a tooth abscess can go undetected for several months. The infection will not heal without intervention, so it will only worsen over time. The best option is usually tooth extraction in order to prevent infection from spreading to other areas of the body.

Severe cavity

When a cavity progresses to the point where the tooth nerves are exposed, patients will experience severe pain. The dentist can perform a root canal to remove inflamed or infected soft tissues in the tooth to save it. However, if the cavity goes unchecked for several months, restoring the tooth may be impossible. The tooth's structural integrity may be severely compromised. Tooth extraction is often inevitable in this case. The same applies if a tooth has been previously treated with a root canal and infection sets in again.

Final note

Delaying treatment for a minor dental issue can cause a dental emergency. The earlier you get treatment, the better. If you have noticed any of the symptoms described above, you need to discuss them with a dentist in order to find a good solution. Sometimes, a simple dental filling might be all that is required to save the tooth. Prompt treatment for dental issues helps to save money in the long run. Book an appointment with our dental office today to get started.

Request an appointment here: https://fortleefamilydental.com or call Fort Lee Family Dental at (201) 620-9772 for an appointment in our Fort Lee office.

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