Extractions
The goal is to always preserve the teeth you have but there are times when a tooth becomes too badly damaged from a trauma or even decay that it becomes irreparable. There are several other reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted including:
- Infections that become too complex that antibiotics or a root canal cannot repair it
- Risk of infection from a compromised immune system
- Periodontal disease can cause so much damage to the surrounding structure of a tooth
- A severely abscessed tooth
- To prepare a mouth for braces by removing teeth to make more space for straightening
Some extractions must be completed under local or general anesthetic, and after removal may require stitching. Removed teeth can be replaced by implants, dentures, or bridges.