Emergency Dental Services in Albuquerque, NM

Your dentist may also recommend pulling a tooth if it's severely damaged and cannot be saved. Tooth extraction is generally recommended in the following situations:

Infection

An infection can occur in the pulp of a tooth and spread to the root. When this happens, the pulp is infected or inflamed and often needs to be removed. A root canal procedure may be performed if the infection has spread to the inside of the tooth and the roots. In this case, the damaged nerves need to be removed along with the diseased or damaged pulp. A dental crown is then placed on the tooth to safeguard it and prevent further damage in the future. If the doctor feels that a root canal treatment can't save the tooth, removing the infected tooth will help prevent the spread of the infection to the bone and tissue surrounding the tooth socket.

Trauma

Accidents happen, and when they do, they can lead to cracked teeth, dislodged teeth, or fractured jaw. Sometimes these accidents can be so severe that the tooth cannot be restored by the dentist. If a tooth has been knocked out in an accident, it is best to see your dentist immediately. If too much time has gone by between the accident and the appointment, the chances are higher that the tooth may be infected, which will require antibiotics to treat. If the tooth is able to be replanted and is saved, it will need special care over the next few weeks to ensure that it stays in place and that it is healing properly. However, if the tooth is severely displaced and can't be saved, it will be removed. 

Instability

Sometimes, a tooth might be too badly damaged or infected for a restoration to be successful. In these situations, our dentist might recommend pulling the tooth and replacing it with an implant or another restoration. 

Crowding

If there is not enough space in your mouth for all of your teeth, your dentist might recommend pulling one or more of your teeth to make room for the others to fit properly. This makes it easier to clean your mouth and allows for proper chewing.

Wisdom Teeth

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning that they are trapped below the gums or jawbone, your dentist may recommend removing them to make your remaining teeth more comfortable. 

Why is it often preferable to save a tooth?

As we all know, no tooth replacement option can have the same functionality, stability, and appearance as a natural tooth. So, our dentist will try their best to save a tooth as possible as they can. Only if nothing works will they resort to extraction. 

Request an appointment or call Osuna Dental Care: Chris Y. Kim DDS at (505) 884-1989 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.