Your dentist will try to fix your broken or damaged tooth with a filling, crown, or other dental treatment. However, if there is too much damage to the tooth beyond repair, the tooth may need to be extracted from its socket in the bone.
Beyond damage and decay, here are some of the most common reasons for tooth removal:
- Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out in time to allow the permanent teeth to come in.
- Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are often extracted either before or after they erupt in the mouth. They commonly come in during the late teens or early 20’s. They need to be removed if they are decayed, infected, or if there is not enough room in the mouth.
- People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted.
- People receiving cancer drugs may cause their teeth to develop an infection resulting in a weakened immune system. Infected teeth may result in removal if necessary.
- People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
- Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.
