Find out during what scenarios a tooth extraction may be necessary.

Of course, everyone wants to keep a healthy, full smile but sometimes issues arise that affect the health and integrity of our teeth. When this happens there comes a point when your Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. David J. Erdman will need to decide if it’s still possible to save a tooth or if the tooth needs to be removed. Find out the many reasons a tooth extraction may be recommended.

When might my Fort Lauderdale, FL family dentist recommend a tooth extraction?

There are many situations that may warrant having a tooth removed. Our goal is to make sure that we can preserve your smile whenever possible, but there are some cases in which the tooth cannot be repaired or saved including:

• Severely fractured or broken teeth. Fractures that extend below the gum line make it difficult to restore using a crown or filling. While an extraction may seem rather drastic it could actually be the best thing for your oral health. A problem tooth could lead to further issues down the road, as well as needing some unnecessary dental procedures.
• A tooth that has such an extensive decay that the integrity of the tooth’s structure is compromised may also need to be extracted.
• Most wisdom teeth, once they erupt, will also need to be removed (typically between the ages of 18-25). This third set of molars is often impacted, meaning that they don’t fully erupt from the gums. This can lead to an increased risk of decay and infection since food and bacteria can easily get trapped in the open gums. There also may not be enough room for your wisdom teeth, which can cause other teeth to shift out of place. Your Fort Lauderdale, FL dentist will be able to tell you if your wisdom teeth will need to be removed.

Whether you are dealing with severe dental pain or your wisdom teeth are coming in, your general dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL is here to help. Don’t let a tooth extraction scare you. We are here to ensure that you have the healthiest and most ideal smile you can possibly have. We would be happy to sit down and talk to you about your options.