There are several reasons why you might need to extract a tooth, so the specific dangers of waiting too long aren’t always the same for everyone. What’s common about tooth extraction, however, is that it isn’t recommended unless absolutely necessary. Since the need for it is often the result of an extreme dental health concern, waiting too long to extract the tooth could expose your oral health to significantly higher risks. Today, we examine why you shouldn’t wait to extract a tooth if it’s become necessary, and what some of the more common dangers of doing so include.
The goals of extracting a tooth
The need for extracting a tooth might differ between patients, but as a last resort option, the goals of the procedure are typically similar. For instance, whether your tooth is severely damaged or infected, or has become impacted within your jawbone, removing it eliminates the threat it poses to the rest of your oral health. However, in many cases, that’s only the first step to restoring the health and proper function of your smile. Depending on the type and location of the tooth, you may also need to replace the extracted tooth as soon as possible, preferably with a lifelike dental implant post and crown.
What happens as time goes by
If the need for tooth extraction is the result of a dental issue that has allowed to grow severe, then the dangers time poses might be obvious. The problem will continue to get worse, even if the tooth falls out on its own, and the longer you allow it to, the more extensive your overall treatment plan may be. For instance, if your tooth suffers from extreme internal infection (decay), then the infection may spread beyond the tooth and its root, leading to severe complications with your oral tissues. A damaged tooth might cause increasingly worse collateral damage to surrounding oral tissues, and an impacted tooth will continue to push against the teeth that it’s stuck behind.
The need for further treatment
Like any other dental health concern, the one that has led to your need for tooth extraction can affect more than just your tooth if given enough time. Depending on how long your problem has existed and what, specifically, it has impacted, your tooth extraction procedure may be only one part of a more comprehensive smile restoration plan. If your other healthy, natural teeth have become damaged or compromised, they may need custom restoration to restore their health and integrity, as well. The extracted tooth itself may need to be replaced to restore your bite’s ability to function properly, as well as your smile’s healthy appearance.
If you need tooth extraction, don’t wait
Most dental issues grow worse over time, but when you need tooth extraction, waiting too long could lead to more trouble than you realize at first. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.
