Preserving and maintaining a natural tooth—while avoiding extraction whenever possible, is a core principle of modern dentistry. However, this is not always feasible.
In general, tooth extraction in adults is performed in the following cases:
- Advanced tooth decay causing infection and inflammation in the oral cavity, when the tooth cannot be preserved with root canal treatment.
- Failure of root canal treatment.
- Pain and complications caused by impacted or partially impacted wisdom teeth, or other teeth.
- Extraction of roots from fractured teeth.
How Tooth Extraction Is Performed
Tooth extraction involves the removal of the tooth or its root from the jawbone. Prior to the procedure, a dental X-ray is taken to accurately assess the position of the tooth or root and to minimise the risk of complications.
The extraction is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
After the extraction, the dentist provides instructions regarding pain management and, only when necessary, prescribes antibiotics to prevent infection. Patients also receive guidance on diet and daily activities for the following days to support proper healing.
