There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth is retained longer than necessary and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it is not restorable, so your doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.

Removing a tooth should not be painful. The patient will feel pressure, sometimes a lot of pressure and there will be cracking sounds as the tooth disengages from the bone. But, pain should never be a factor.

Follow the post-operative instructions closely and healing, usually, is uneventful.

Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth.

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