Extractions

Nobody looks forward to having a tooth out. There is some discomfort, but it is nothing compared with the problem causing the pain in the first place — and the oral health benefit makes it worth resolving, especially if you are in pain or have an infection.

The leading cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, so despite every modern advance, extractions are still sometimes needed. There are other reasons too: children may need more room as adult teeth come in or before braces, and teeth are sometimes removed when someone is being fitted for dentures. Most often, though, it is decay that cannot be corrected any other way, or a tooth loosened by gum disease.