When you picture the dentist’s office do you automatically start playing a black and white movie in your head where the Doctor is holding extremely sharp tools, looming over you, and laughing evilly? Don’t let your imagination run too wild. Your dentist’s main job is to save your natural teeth from ever having to be pulled. At Peery Family Dentistry, Dr. James M. Peery, Jr. and Dr. James M. Peery, III will do everything in their power to save your tooth. However, if a tooth has decayed enough, performing a tooth extraction in 24501 may be necessary to save the rest of your teeth. If your oral health calls for it, our father-son duo has the knowledge and tools to make your extraction quick and comfortable.

How do I know if I need my tooth to be pulled?

Most of our patients practice good oral hygiene. That includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting your dentist for routine dental visits. This way, your smile is receiving the preventive care that it needs and deserves. If at any point you deviate from practicing good dental practices or overly indulge in substances that are harmful to your mouth, you may cause your teeth to become weak. When a tooth becomes severely damaged, overcrowded, or infected your dentist will perform a tooth extraction in Lynchburg for the sole purpose of protecting the majority of your teeth.

Damage

A tooth that has begun to decay can be treated in many different ways, but when it’s too far gone, extraction becomes a very real possibility. A tooth may be damaged from a chip or crack and leave your surrounded teeth and gums susceptible to infection or further tooth loss.

Overcrowding

Your smile constantly changes as you grow. This is something that is simply out of your control. Sometimes, your teeth can grow into the wrong positions, rendering them useless or actually distracting to the rest of your smile. If teeth are too large to comfortably fit within the mouth, they may block other teeth from growing into their correct places as well. Extracting that tooth can give your natural teeth more space to grow into the right places. You will especially see this before a patient begins their orthodontic treatment, making room for their teeth to straighten into the right positions.

Infection

Harmful bacteria can infect a tooth all the way down below the gum line if it is left untreated. If the pulp of your tooth becomes infected, it can easily spread to your other natural teeth. That’s why normally your dentist will recommend root canal therapy. But in some cases, the damage is so extensive that the root canal will not nearly be as effective as it needs to be. This is when pulling the tooth becomes necessary.

How can we save your teeth?

If we notice that a tooth has become extremely decayed during your dental appointment, it may need to be extracted. Peery Family Dentistry will explore all other therapeutic and restorative options first, but if it is necessary, we will pull the tooth to save the rest of your teeth. These extractions are standard and it’s a service we routinely provide to our patients that absolutely need it. Contact our office today! We can’t wait to help protect the longevity of your smile.