Extractions

There are a number of potential reasons that a tooth may need to be removed, including:

• A tooth that is severely damaged due to decay and cannot be restored

• Some cases of severe periodontal (gum) disease where teeth have become very loose

• Baby teeth that do not have a replacement permanent/adult tooth

• Baby teeth that don’t get pushed out by an erupting adult tooth and may be in the mouth longer than necessary. These retained teeth often require removal by a dentist, too.

• If one’s mouth lacks room for the new tooth, as is the case for many people’s wisdom teeth (3rd molars).

Following your extraction, the dentist will explain the things you can do to promote healthy healing of  the extraction site and may suggest a follow up visit in about a week to monitor healing.