When to Choose Extraction Over Distillation?

In most cases, extraction should be performed on a troublesome tooth. Distillation, which results in the creation of topical analgesics, only temporarily numbs or relieves tooth pain. Extraction can be diagnosed and performed by your dentist or dental surgeon. The procedure will prevent more serious implications like tooth decay, gum disease, or infection.

Impacted Teeth

• Teeth that are impacted are growing abnormally due to bone or tissue blockages. Wisdom teeth are typically impacted more than other teeth, but this problem can occur with other types of teeth. Since impacted teeth cannot usually be straightened with braces or treated with normal dental procedures, have the teeth completely removed. Removal of teeth will prevent pain and keep other teeth from shifting. Have your dentist explain the procedure for removing wisdom teeth.

Orthodontic Procedures

• Often, you will need teeth removed to shift or make room for other teeth while you wear braces. Sometimes, teeth are so badly positioned that it can be impossible to straighten them. Follow your orthodontist's advice when extraction is recommended, since crooked or misplaced teeth can cause a variety of other problems.

Rotten Teeth

• Sometimes teeth have been treated with fillings, crowns, or root canals and still rot or decay. Teeth that have rotted so badly that there are holes in the enamel and infection in the roots are often candidates for extraction. Dentists will do everything they can to keep an original tooth intact, but they might remove the tooth completely to keep the decay from spreading to other healthy teeth.

Cost

• Some teeth aren't to the point of rotting, but may need serious dental work to repair the damage done to the tooth. Procedures like crown placement and root canals can be costly and very painful. If your dental insurance does not cover at least 70 to 100 percent of your dental work, it's usually much less expensive to just have the tooth removed.