When you think about having a tooth pulled, you think of it as a last resort. While this is sometimes the case, many times an extraction is performed to save other teeth. Dental extractions are painless and are often the first step in a restoration. Here are four occasions when a tooth extraction is for the best.

1. Cracked Tooth

Teeth can crack in many different ways, from a minor chip that’s repairable to being split down the middle. If a crack is severe and goes all the way under the gum, it needs to be removed. Dentists specializing in tooth extractions Broomfield CO can complete the procedure quickly and painlessly.

2. Crowded Teeth

Dental extraction is a common procedure when teeth are crowded and don’t have space to grow straight. This results in a crooked smile and can also be painful. Extraction is often done just before the placement of braces that help move the teeth into proper alignment.

3. Dental Infection

If you have a dental infection that reaches the pulp of a tooth, the only options are a root canal or extraction. If the infection is too severe to save the tooth, extraction and replacement are performed. Many times a patient will choose an extraction if the tooth is crowded and far enough back where the gap doesn’t show.

4. Tooth Breaks Off

Another reason for dental extraction is if the tooth has broken clean off at the gum line. At this point, there’s not enough surface on the tooth in which to place a crown. The remaining tooth will need to be extracted and restoration options discussed.

While the idea of a dental extraction can be upsetting, it’s a completely painless procedure. Extraction alleviates pain due to infection and can save your smile if you have crowded teeth.