Tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the complete removal of a tooth from its socket. This procedure is usually carried out when other treatment methods are insufficient or impossible to apply. Tooth extraction can involve both deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth, including specific cases such as “wisdom teeth” or impacted teeth that have not erupted properly or have no space to align in the dental arch.

• Extraction of baby teeth is often necessary when these teeth do not fall out naturally during the process of being replaced by permanent teeth, which can disrupt the proper development and alignment of permanent teeth. Sometimes extraction is also required in cases of severe decay or infection that cannot be treated by other methods.
• Extraction of permanent teeth may be necessary for various reasons, including advanced decay, periodontal disease leading to significant weakening of the tooth’s support in the bone, trauma, or as part of an orthodontic treatment plan that requires the removal of certain teeth to provide space for the remaining teeth and improve occlusion.
• Extraction of “wisdom teeth” (third molars) is one of the more common procedures. “Wisdom teeth” often erupt late and may not have enough space in the dental arch, leading to impaction (partial or complete), improper eruption, and the potential for causing pain, infection, or problems with adjacent teeth.
• Extraction of impacted teeth involves the removal of teeth that have not erupted or have only partially erupted. This most commonly involves “wisdom teeth”.
• Root extraction is a procedure used in cases where the root of a tooth remains in the bone after the tooth has broken or when it is not possible to restore the tooth. Removing such remnants is important to prevent infection and to prepare the site for possible prosthetic restoration.

In every case, the decision to extract a tooth is made after a thorough examination of the patient’s oral health and is considered a last resort when other treatment methods are insufficient or impossible to apply. Tooth extraction is performed under local anaesthesia to ensure a painless procedure.