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Are Tooth Extractions Painful?
Types of Tooth Extractions
Basic Extractions
While your dentist will always try to save your tooth first, an extraction may be necessary for teeth that have been severely damaged by injuries, gum disease, or decay.
For example, a tooth may not be possible to save with a root canal if it is deeply infected. Your dentist may recommend an extraction instead. A dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture can be used to replace your missing tooth and restore the natural function of your smile.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that tend to grow in much later than the rest of our teeth, usually between the ages of 17-25.
Because of their delayed eruption, many people lack enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth. This can cause shifting, misalignment, infection, and discomfort with your other teeth when the wisdom teeth begin to erupt. Due to these complications, most people choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted when they begin to emerge.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extractions
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has not fully erupted from the gums. This is one of the most common complications related to wisdom tooth growth.
If a wisdom tooth is impacted, it can compromise the position and health of the surrounding teeth, especially if they are growing at a crooked angle. Food debris and bacteria can get caught on these partially erupted teeth, leading to a higher tooth abscess or infection risk. The dentist may recommend surgically removing impacted wisdom teeth to prevent crowding, infection, and other complications.