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Extracting a tooth is generally a last resort for when a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, and can't be saved with restorative treatments like root canal therapy or a dental crown. Extractions are also sometimes a solution for crowding or an impacted tooth (when a tooth is trapped below the gums and unable to erupt). Dr. Richard D. Hopgood, a dentist in Andover, MA, performs these dental extractions and other general and cosmetic dentistry procedures for his patients.
Tooth Extractions in Andover, MA
Aside from wisdom teeth, which are commonly extracted due to problems like crowding or being impacted, extractions are typically reserved for extreme cases where there are no options to save the tooth and leaving it in poses a risk to your oral health. Some of the reasons why your dentist may recommend an extraction include:
- Extensive decay
- Gum disease
- Trauma
- Crowding
- Infection
There are two types of extractions: simple and surgical. Simple extractions are the most common type, and are performed when there is enough tooth surface left for the dentist to remove the tooth with forceps (don't worry, anesthesia and sedation are available to help keep you comfortable and calm during the procedure).
A surgical extraction is necessary when a tooth is impacted or the crown breaks off completely and the dentist has to remove gum and bone tissue to safely remove the rest of the tooth. In some cases, you may start out with a simple extraction but the dentist will decide that a surgical extraction is necessary during the procedure (for example, if a tooth breaks during the extraction procedure).
A dental exam and x-ray screening are typically necessary to determine whether a tooth needs to be extracted.
Find a Dentist in Andover, MA
For more information about extractions and your options for treating a damaged or decayed tooth, contact our Andover, MA office by calling (978) 475-2431 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hopgood today!
