My gums are inflamed, does my tooth need to be extracted?
Q.
Dear Andrew, I have advanced periodontitis with furcation at the site of my second molar. At the moment it looks like a small dark dot at the gum line. ‘Tunneling’ has been mentioned to me as a possible type of treatment to aid with cleaning at this site. It was suggested to try cleaning with a very small tepe and for some reason (although I am always very careful) it seems to have internally inflamed the whole lower side which is painful. My question is, and I am wondering, if it may be best to have it extracted or what the general, approximate outcome is for a tooth that is tunneled to help with home cleaning. A difficult question I know. Thank you for reading and for your time.
Dear Andrew, I have advanced periodontitis with furcation at the site of my second molar. At the moment it looks like a small dark dot at the gum line. ‘Tunneling’ has been mentioned to me as a possible type of treatment to aid with cleaning at this site. It was suggested to try cleaning with a very small tepe and for some reason (although I am always very careful) it seems to have internally inflamed the whole lower side which is painful. My question is, and I am wondering, if it may be best to have it extracted or what the general, approximate outcome is for a tooth that is tunneled to help with home cleaning. A difficult question I know. Thank you for reading and for your time.
A.
This is always a difficult decision to make, extracting the tooth now would preserve the bone for a dental implant, saving the tooth might result in further bone loss. I would probably advise saving the tooth for now perhaps with treatment from a specialist periodontist to give you the best chance of a good outcome. If the inflammation doesn’t go then take the tooth out and have an implant.
This is always a difficult decision to make, extracting the tooth now would preserve the bone for a dental implant, saving the tooth might result in further bone loss. I would probably advise saving the tooth for now perhaps with treatment from a specialist periodontist to give you the best chance of a good outcome. If the inflammation doesn’t go then take the tooth out and have an implant.
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