What is tooth extraction? | Dental Treatment Guide


The procedure that constitutes tooth extraction involves a dental professional removing at least one tooth. This time that is taken to remove the teeth depends on how many require extraction; it may require a number of appointments. The tooth extraction procedure may have two main outcomes, which are dependent on the reason that the tooth was removed. These outcome may be the replacement of the tooth or alternatively, not replacing it.

Why may a tooth need to be extracted?

There are numerous possibilities that may lead to the need for tooth extraction. Usually, the reasoning behind undergoing the process include if your tooth is too badly damaged to repair with a crown or other procedure, if you suffer from widespread gum disease, which can result in loose teeth or if your mouth is too crowded with milk teeth inhibiting the protrusion of adult teeth, which may lead to overcrowding and crookedness. Another factor that can subsequently lead to teeth needing to be removed can be to accommodate dental braces. This can be because space needs to be made to allow for tooth movement to straighten the teeth when the brace is applied.

Less common reasons that may require tooth extraction include:

  • Individuals undergoing radiation therapy who need to have certain teeth removed if they are in the location where radiation is being applied.
  • Cancer patients are sometimes administered drugs that can cause tooth infections as the immune system is weakened. Such infections can subsequently lead to the teeth needing to be taken out before it gets worse.
  • If you are going to get an organ transplant, you may be needed to have teeth removed because they can harbour post-transplant infections. This is because the medication administered after organ transplants are used to weaken the immune system so the organ has less chance of being rejected. However, this weak immune system can also result in unwanted infections of body parts like the teeth.

A reason behind tooth extraction that is extremely common in adolescents and young adults is the presence of wisdom teeth. These teeth can cause pain and/or overcrowding so are often removed either before that protrude through the gum or just after. It is not rare to see wisdom teeth becoming lodged in the gum and failing to erupt. This can cause pain and the wisdom tooth may decay so it is necessary for them to be extracted.

Further Information about Teeth Extraction