Dental Extraction

 

A dental extraction (also referred to as tooth extraction, exodontia, exodontics, or historically, tooth pulling) is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus(socket) in the alveolar bone. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable throughtooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma; especially when they are associated with toothache. Sometimes wisdom teeth are impacted (stuck and unable to grow normally into the mouth) and may cause recurrent infections of the gum (pericoronitis)

 

 

The most common reason for extraction is tooth damage due to breakage or decay. There are additional reasons for tooth extraction:

 

• Severe tooth decay or infection (acute or chronic alveolar abscess). Despite the reduction in worldwide prevalence of dental caries, it is still the most common reason for extraction of (non-third molar) teeth with up to two thirds of extractions.

• Supernumerary teeth which are blocking other teeth from coming in.

• Severe gum disease which may affect the supporting tissues and bone structures of teeth.

• In preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces)

• Teeth in the fracture line

• Teeth which cannot be restored endodontically

• Fractured teeth

• Supernumerary, supplementary or malformed teeth