TOOTH EXTRACTION

There are a number of reasons why Dr. Takamatsu might recommend that you have a tooth, or even several teeth, extracted.

Some teeth will have extensive decay, broken or cracked in such an extreme manner that an extraction might be considered the best, or at least a reasonable, solution. Teeth that are unsuitable candidates for root canal treatment should be extracted. Teeth associated with advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) may also need to be pulled.

While extracting a tooth might be less expensive than the other treatment options Dr. Takamatsu proposes, it may not be the least expensive treatment in the long-run.

When a tooth is removed its neighboring teeth will tend to shift, sometimes significantly. Any alignment changes that do occur can have a major impact on your dental health. Removing even a single tooth can lead to problems associated with chewing ability or jaw joint function. Additionally, teeth whose alignment has changed can become traps for food or be harder to clean thoroughly, thus placing them at greater risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

So to avoid these types of complications, in most cases Dr. Takamatsu will probably recommend to you that you replace any tooth that has been extracted. Replacing a tooth after an extraction with an artificial one can easily cost more than the alternative of not extracting a tooth and instead rebuilding it.