Tooth Extractions

Generally, if a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. But when there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted — or removed — from its socket in the bone.

Although many of your teeth are easily removable, it’s occasionally more complicated, and requires a more involved procedure. Here’s why the surgical extraction of teeth may become necessary, and how your dentist differentiates these procedures from others.

Why can’t a tooth be saved?

Teeth are usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse.

Keep in mind it’s not unusual for an orthodontist to recommend an tooth extraction or two before orthodontic treatment begins because of crowed teeth. Similarly, wisdom teeth are frequently extracted because of the awkward position in which they grow behind your molars.

It’s important to have twice a year checkups and cleanings with your dentist to ensure that your teeth remain healthy.