When Tooth Extraction Is the Best Course of Action

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile because of overcrowding, you might benefit from a smile makeover.

At The Smile Agency, Karen Guinn, DDS, offers a comprehensive oral consultation to determine how to enhance your natural dental health and give you something to smile about. Dr. Guinn uses many techniques to improve your dental health and the aesthetics of your smile. In some cases, she may recommend tooth extraction to optimize your overall results.

There are several reasons Dr. Guinn may recommend tooth extraction rather than trying to save a tooth. Based on your specific dental health needs, she may suggest removing a tooth if you have:

Tooth extraction is a common treatment for overcrowding. It involves removing one or more teeth that aren’t decayed or damaged to make room for surrounding teeth. The procedure can also relieve existing pain or discomfort.

Tooth extraction is often necessary if you have severely decayed or damaged teeth. If you have decayed teeth that aren’t repairable with a crown or other dental treatment, Dr. Guinn can remove them so your oral health doesn't suffer.

When you have a decayed or damaged tooth, your risk for infection in the surrounding tissue increases. If not treated properly, a dental infection can spread to other areas of your body and pose serious health risks.

If you develop recurrent infections or the infection can’t be treated with medication or a root canal, tooth extraction may be the best way to prevent pain and other oral health complications.

One popular option for restoring your smile after a tooth extraction is a dental implant. As part of her smile makeover services, Dr. Guinn offers dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Dental implants involve the implantation of a titanium post into your gum. After a period of healing, Dr. Guinn attaches an artificial tooth to the post. Your new tooth functions just like your natural teeth and is customized to their size, shape, and color.

A dental implant isn’t only beneficial for aesthetic purposes. When you’re missing teeth, your other teeth can shift out of place and give you a crooked smile. The implant takes the place of your natural tooth and helps you retain overall dental alignment.

If you’ve been missing teeth from a long-ago extraction, your teeth may have already shifted out of place. To realign your smile and improve your dental health, Dr. Guinn offers several options for treatment including traditional braces and Invisalign®.

Both treatments are effective at shifting your teeth into alignment to improve your smile. By keeping your teeth in optimal alignment, it’s easier to keep them clean and in good health. Proper tooth alignment also reduces your risk for chronic dental and jaw pain and unnecessary wear and tear on your teeth.

If your teeth are overcrowded and painful, tooth extraction might be a good option to improve both your dental health and your smile. Schedule an oral health evaluation at The Smile Agency by contacting the office nearest you today.