Dental Extraction: Is it an Emergency?
There are many oral health benefits to having a tooth removed. Many patients have their wisdom teeth removed; or, if a tooth becomes damaged or decayed, removing it allows dentists to restore the patient’s oral health.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our office is temporarily closed, except for emergency dentistry services, which can be vital to preserving patient’s dental health. In this blog post, we discuss when dental extraction is considered an emergency. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Bruce Wilderman and the team at Artistic Expression Dentistry, serving Philadelphia, PA, Doylestown, PA, and surrounding areas in Bucks County.
Common Reasons for an Emergency Dental Extraction
There are many cases in which teeth are extracted due to urgent dental problems. Common reasons for emergency tooth extraction include:
Impacted Teeth
The wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last teeth to erupt. Depending on the patient’s jaw size and other factors, the back molars may not have room to fully emerge. If the tooth is unable to emerge or if it only partially emerges, the tooth is considered to be impacted.
Impacted teeth can cause a range of dental problems. Beyond being more likely to suffer from infection and decay, an impacted tooth can cause teeth crowding. Most dentists recommend the safe removal of wisdom teeth to prevent future dental problems. If patients are experiencing pain or dental health issues due an impacted tooth, emergency extraction may be scheduled.
Failed Root Canal
To address an advanced tooth infection, dentists may perform root canal therapy. The procedure removes decay and infected tissue from deep within the tooth. Your treated tooth will then be restored with an inlay, onlay, or dental crown. While the majority of root canal treatments are successful, there is a chance that the infection can return. This may result in the need for tooth extraction.
Dental Trauma
Accidents happen. If the structure of your tooth is damaged beyond repair, a safe and gentle extraction can eliminate oral pain and restore oral health.
An Advanced Infection
If an infection is not caught early enough, root canal therapy or other treatments may not be an option. Many infections are the result of untreated tooth decay or gum disease. This is one reason why regular cleanings and exams are so important.
When Is Tooth Extraction Not Considered an Emergency?
In some cases, one or more teeth may be removed to address teeth crowding or other cosmetic issues. These tooth extraction procedures aren’t usually considered emergencies if they aren’t causing significant dental health issues.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Extraction?
If you are in severe pain or experiencing signs of a dental emergency, your tooth extraction will be treated as an urgent matter. First, your tooth and the surrounding areas will be numbed. If you are experiencing an advanced infection or other dental problems, this step can provide immediate relief.
Our office offers The Wand®, an anesthesia delivery system that numbs the treatment area without the need for painful injections. Once you are comfortable, Dr. Wilderman will use a special tool to gently loosen and extract the tooth. Molars may be broken into small pieces for safe removal. Depending on the location of your tooth, incisions in your gums or may not be needed.
Once your tooth has been removed, gauze can be used to control bleeding. You will be given recovery guidelines that should be followed closely. Following your tooth extraction, we recommend that you replace the tooth immediately with one of our restorative treatment options.
Schedule Your Next Visit Today
Tooth extractions are far more comfortable than most people imagine. There are many benefits to removing a problematic tooth. To schedule your next visit, please contact our dental team online or call us at (215) 631-8505.
