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71 North Street
A tooth extraction may be needed when a tooth is too badly damaged, decayed or affected by disease to be predictably restored, or when keeping it could cause further problems. Other reasons can include troublesome wisdom teeth and, in selected cases, orthodontic treatment.
However, toothache does not automatically mean that a tooth needs removing. A dentist will first assess the cause and consider whether treatment such as a filling, crown or root canal could preserve the natural tooth..
A dentist may recommend removing a tooth when it cannot reasonably be restored or when leaving it in place could affect your oral health. Common reasons include severe decay, infection, advanced gum disease, significant damage and problems caused by wisdom teeth.
The important point is that symptoms alone cannot tell you whether an extraction is necessary. An examination, and sometimes dental imaging, is needed before the appropriate treatment can be recommended.
Decay can gradually destroy healthy tooth structure. When enough of the tooth remains, it may be possible to repair it with a filling or dental crown.
If the damage is so extensive that the tooth cannot be restored reliably, extraction may instead be considered. NHS hospital guidance similarly identifies teeth that are too badly decayed to fill as one reason removal may be necessary.
Bacteria can reach the soft tissue inside a tooth through decay, cracks or other damage. This can sometimes lead to significant pain or a dental abscess.
Extraction is not necessarily the first option. Root canal treatment may allow an infected tooth to be retained by removing infection from within the tooth. If the tooth cannot be successfully restored or treated, however, removal may be considered.
The NHS advises that a dental abscess requires urgent dental treatment and will not resolve by itself. Depending on its cause, treatment can include root canal treatment or removal of the affected tooth.
A cracked or broken tooth does not always need extracting. What matters is the extent and location of the damage and whether enough healthy tooth structure remains to restore it.
Minor or moderate damage may sometimes be repaired. More extensive damage, particularly where a tooth cannot be predictably restored, can make removal a more appropriate option.
Gum disease affects the tissues that support your teeth. As it progresses, the gums can recede and teeth may become loose.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, and losing a tooth is not inevitable. In advanced cases, however, there may be insufficient support to retain particular teeth.
Wisdom teeth do not routinely need to be removed simply because they are present.
Extraction may be considered when a wisdom tooth is impacted or repeatedly causes problems such as infection, pain, decay or damage to a neighbouring tooth. Current NHS hospital guidance notes that removal is generally recommended when wisdom teeth have caused repeated problems or there are signs of disease around them.
In some orthodontic cases, a dentist or orthodontic clinician may recommend removing a tooth as part of a carefully planned treatment. This can create the space required to improve tooth alignment.
Whether extraction is appropriate depends entirely on the individual’s teeth, bite and proposed orthodontic treatment.
No. Having toothache does not mean your tooth definitely needs to be removed.
Pain can have several causes, and some affected teeth can be treated without extraction. The right approach depends on what is causing the problem and how much healthy tooth structure remains.
You should arrange a dental assessment if toothache lasts for more than two days, does not settle with pain relief, or occurs alongside symptoms such as pain when biting, a bad taste, fever or swelling.
Carlton Dental’s general dentistry services include assessment and treatment for a range of common dental problems.
Sometimes, yes. Preserving a natural tooth may be possible depending on the cause and extent of the problem.
Possible treatments can include a filling for decay, a crown to restore a weakened tooth, gum treatment where supporting tissues are affected, or root canal treatment when the inside of a tooth becomes infected.
The decision is individual. A dentist needs to assess the tooth itself, the surrounding gums and bone, your symptoms and whether the tooth can be restored successfully.
This is why it is worth having a troublesome tooth examined rather than assuming that removal is inevitable.
Before an extraction, your dentist should explain why removal has been recommended and what the procedure involves.
The area is usually numbed using local anaesthetic. The exact procedure depends on the tooth and its position. Some teeth can be removed relatively straightforwardly, while others, including certain impacted wisdom teeth, may require a more involved procedure.
Afterwards, you will receive instructions for looking after the extraction site while it heals. Following your dentist’s aftercare advice is important, particularly during the first few days.
If losing the tooth leaves a gap that needs replacing, this does not necessarily have to be decided immediately. Depending on the tooth, your oral health and your preferences, future options may include dental implants or dental bridges and dentures.
Some dental problems should not wait for a routine appointment.
Seek urgent dental advice if you have severe or persistent dental pain, increasing swelling, a suspected dental abscess, or another dental problem significantly affecting your daily activities. Carlton Dental provides information about accessing an emergency dentist in Carshalton.
For patients unable to access a dentist, NHS 111 can also advise on urgent dental care.
Severe swelling affecting your ability to breathe, speak or swallow requires emergency medical attention. The NHS advises calling 999 or going to A&E in these circumstances.
Local anaesthetic is normally used to numb the area during an extraction. You may experience some discomfort, tenderness or swelling afterwards, although this varies according to the tooth and procedure. Your dentist will explain what to expect and how to care for the area during recovery.
Healing varies between patients and according to the complexity of the extraction. The socket changes gradually as it heals, so follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by your dental team rather than relying on a fixed recovery timetable.
No. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and not causing problems do not automatically need extraction. Removal is generally considered when there are repeated symptoms or signs of disease or damage associated with the wisdom tooth.
That depends on why removal has been recommended. An untreated infection, severely damaged tooth or advanced gum problem may worsen and lead to further pain or complications. Your dentist can explain the risks of both treatment and leaving the tooth in place based on your individual situation.
Not always. Whether replacement is advisable depends on which tooth has been removed, your bite, oral health and individual needs. Where replacement is appropriate, options can include a bridge, denture or dental implant.
Pain, damage or infection does not automatically mean losing a tooth. The first step is finding out what is causing the problem and whether the tooth can reasonably be restored.
If you are concerned that you may need a tooth extraction, Carlton Dental can assess the problem and discuss the appropriate treatment options with you. Contact our dental team to arrange an appointment.
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