Our first choice is always to save a natural tooth, but sometimes removing it is the best way to protect your overall oral health and stop pain. We only recommend an extraction when a tooth is too damaged to be saved by a filling or crown.
This may be the right step in situations involving:
- Severe Decay: When a cavity becomes too extensive to be effectively repaired, extraction may be the only way to prevent further damage and discomfort.
- A Deep Infection or Abscess: In cases where infection has reached the tooth's root or surrounding tissue, removing the tooth helps eliminate the source and stop the infection from spreading.
- Serious Damage: If a tooth is broken or cracked beyond repair due to trauma or injury, extraction is often the safest option to restore comfort and function.
- Crowding: Sometimes teeth need to be removed to make room before orthodontic treatments like braces, helping ensure proper alignment and long-term oral health.
