My Fixed Bridge Makes My Life Easier

When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.

When Should Your Tooth Be Pulled?

Dentist Blog

In many cases, your dentist's main priority is to preserve all your teeth. Sometimes this means actually having a tooth extracted rather than working on the tooth itself. While losing a tooth may not be considered a good thing, your dentist may make this recommendation for a few reasons. Here are signs your tooth should be pulled; your dentist will discuss tooth pulling versus dental repair with you.

Your tooth is dead or dying

A dead or dying tooth is usually a light yellow to a dark gray or even blackish color. This type of tooth poses a danger to surrounding teeth as the bacteria and decay in the tooth can make neighboring teeth get infected. Since a dead tooth has no live nerve tissue, the tooth should be pulled to help protect your remaining teeth.

When your tooth is not dead but actively dying or requires so much dental work there is no way to justify the repairs, your tooth will usually get pulled as well. Unless the tooth is in the front of your mouth or your tooth is dying but salvageable, your dentist will recommend pulling the tooth.

Your tooth is an extra tooth

A wisdom tooth can be considered an extra tooth, as can an incisor that grows above the gumline. When you have an extra tooth or a tooth that is in the way of other teeth even if it's not an extra tooth, your dentist will often pull the offending tooth to make more room in your mouth.

Wisdom teeth in particular can be distracting and painful. The sooner you have a tooth pulled that is crowding other teeth or is otherwise bothersome in your mouth, the healthier your smile is. You also help prevent making other teeth crooked by having the tooth pulled.

Your tooth is expensive to fix

Sometimes a tooth is just too expensive to fix. If you cannot afford to have a tooth repaired with a root canal, crown, or other dental procedure but you still need dental work done, your best and often cheapest option is to have the tooth pulled. You can always get a bridge or crown later when your finances are more flexible while preserving your smile in your current situation. Talk to your dentist about the costs to remove your tooth versus other dental work; you'll find pulling the tooth is often much cheaper than other dental work is.

For more information on tooth extractions, contact your dentist. 

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18 December 2018