Extraction may be recommended when
Infection around the tooth
Difficulty opening the mouth
Damage to adjacent teeth
Food accumulation and difficulty maintaining hygiene
Cysts or other associated dental problems
A simple extraction is performed when the tooth is visible and accessible in the mouth. Local anesthesia is used to make the procedure comfortable.
Surgical extraction may be required when a tooth is impacted, broken below the gum line, or difficult to access. Wisdom teeth are a common example where surgical extraction may sometimes be needed.
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, may sometimes become impacted or develop problems because of limited space in the jaw.