Fillings and Extractions
You may have found yourself in a situation where your teeth are chipped, broken, or missing pieces altogether. Dental fillings and extractions are some of the most common methods to save your teeth, regardless of the situation. When these sensitive issues arise, it is best to trust the Knox County Dental of Edina, MO team to provide the utmost care you need when you are confused or unsure of your next step.
Unsure of which procedure you may need? We will explain the difference below.
Can My Tooth Be Saved?
In all circumstances, the dentist will always save as much of the tooth as possible before exploring other options. Natural teeth are much more resilient, easier to care for, and much stronger overall.
Fillings help to “fill” and model out the missing parts of your teeth, to restore them to the proper size that it was before the infection, accident, or abnormality.
When Would I Need a Tooth to Be Extracted?
Fillings can be made of many durable materials, and in many cases, can help to reinforce and repair the tooth completely. However, there are certain circumstances where tooth extraction far outweighs the benefits of a filling, such as:
Chronic Pain
If the tooth is damaged beyond repair and it is causing you pain, a filling may not fix the issue completely. In this case, a recommended course of action could be the extraction and subsequent implantation of a new tooth.
Progressive Disease
Gum disease and infection are one of the leading causes of tooth extraction. If the infection or decay has spread to the root of the tooth, a filling will not be able to plug the appropriate gaps to stop the spread of the disease. Removal of the tooth may be necessary in this case to save the adjacent teeth, gums, and bones.
Danger of Harm
If the tooth has been infected, decayed, or broken in a way that is causing a danger to other parts of your mouth, it may be more beneficial to remove the tooth and its fragments altogether than to create a more hazardous issue in the future.
Your Local Quality Dentist
Fillings and extractions should only be performed by a licensed and experienced professional. During your next appointment with the team at Knox County Dental of Edina, MO, you can be sure that they will recommend the best course of action for your unique situation to ensure that your quality of life is properly restored.
