Why Teeth are Extracted

At Bernstein Dental Care in Bay Ridge, we’ve saved many peoples’ teeth over the years. However, there are times when extractions are the more practical approach, and to help patients to understand their options, we wanted to explain why that might be.


The most common reason for extractions is overcrowding. The wisdom teeth, the molars furthest in back, are large and do not usually erupt until the patient is in their late teens. This is a problem because major orthodontic correction works best in children and young teenagers but wisdom teeth threaten to undo orthodontic work while getting stuck and creating a trap for bacteria. The upper canine teeth and incisors next to them can also get stuck, and while orthodontic work is used to guide them into position in teenagers, this may not be possible for adults or doable within a particular timeframe.


Teeth may also need to be extracted in cases of infection. While root canals remove infected pulp, an infection may return if the tooth had hidden or difficult-to-reach chambers. In cases of severe periodontal disease, the gum tissue may be too weak to support the teeth and not be healed in time to save them. However, root canals and periodontal therapy are usually still worth a try.


Dr. Paul Bernstein runs Bernstein Dental Care at 350 91st St, Suite 1C, Brooklyn, New York, 11209. To schedule an appointment, visit Bernstein Dental Care or call 718-833-9191.


 

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