There are many reasons a tooth can be bad. Commonly, gum disease, cavities, or fractures can compromise our chewing soldiers. Depending on how severe a condition, the dentist evaluates if the tooth is salvageable with x-rays and a clinical exam. Dr. Taller always reviews the condition of tooth with his patient and discusses all available treatment options including, removing and replacing the tooth.
Why would I save a tooth?
- Natural teeth are typically more comfortable, easier to maintain and function better than artificial ones. While dental materials are getting better, artificial teeth still don’t act the same as your natural teeth do.
- When a tooth is pulled, it creates a gap in your smile, allowing the surrounding teeth to shift. This shifting can eventually cause problems with chewing and the alignment.
- Replacing lost teeth are often more expensive than saving your present teeth.
- When your tooth is removed you also lose support of the jaw from the root. When there’s a missing tooth, the bone shrinks and the surrounding bone will collapse, often making people appear older and makes replacing their teeth more complicated.
- If the tooth to be pulled shows when you smile, the gap can lower your self-confidence.
- When the tooth is saved by doing endodontics (root canal), the pain is addressed immediately and the infection is eliminated.
- Replacing missing teeth may take more visits and could take weeks or months. This can mean more dental visits, more expense, and occasionally more discomfort.
Why can’t my tooth be saved?
Teeth may not be restorable for many reasons. Common reasons may include too much bone loss (gum disease) around the tooth, a crack in the tooth below the gum line, lack of healthy tooth structure to hold a restoration such as a filling or crown.
Have a bad tooth? Have Dr. Taller examine your specific problem and review all the options to determine what’s best for you. Taller Dental is located at 3601 Waldo Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10463. Call 718-543-3704 to make your appointment or schedule online.
