Generally, you only have a tooth pulled when it has seriously decayed or been injured beyond repair. In some instances, teeth will be pulled for other reasons, including for orthodontic purposes. Before you allow a tooth to be pulled, you need to consider whether it's the best course for you and explore your options.

 Orthodontics

If you have crowded teeth, your dental professional may recommend that you have several teeth pulled in order to make straightening the rest of your teeth easier. Often, the premolars, or the teeth located immediately behind your eyeteeth, are the ones chosen to be removed. This procedure allows the teeth to be pushed into alignment with braces.

If you wish to keep your teeth, you may be able to do so depending on how severe the crowding is. When you have a mild to moderate overbite, braces alone may be enough. If the case is more extreme, you will need to have several teeth removed or surgery on your jawbone. For most people, that choice is an easy one. Most people will choose to lose a few teeth rather than undergo an intrusive procedure. 

Damaged Teeth

If you have a broken tooth or a seriously cracked one, your dentist may be able to fix it using a crown or cap. In some instances, the damage is too great and the tooth needs to be pulled. If at all possible, you need to have that tooth replaced. Loss of teeth can change your looks as well as your ability to chew. Even a missing molar can affect the quality of your life. 

Consequences

Having a tooth pulled does carry some risk of bone erosion. If the socket is left open, the jaw bone can become thin and cause structural issues as well as cosmetic ones. You should consult with your doctor to see how they plan to deal with this issue. They may perform a bone graft to keep this deterioration from occurring, sometimes acting immediately to protect your jaw. Make sure a plan is in place before you undergo tooth extraction.

Before you agree to having a tooth pulled, make sure you understand all your options. Sometimes there are alternatives to this action that you may want to explore first. Never jump to the conclusion that having a tooth removed is not important. If possible, you want to keep all your teeth throughout your life. Extraction should be a last resort. Contact a company like A Q Denture Services for more information.