Tooth extraction is necessary in many instances – especially when wisdom teeth are involved. Although most commonly used to remove third molars, tooth extraction can also be used to remove damaged teeth that pose further risks to your mouth. Should your tooth be extracted? Your dentist will be able to tell if they are able to save your tooth from decay or infection, or if it needs to be extracted in order to protect your other teeth. To determine if your third molars need to be removed, your dentist will look at an x-ray of your mouth.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Often times, wisdom teeth come in misaligned and could end up affecting their surrounding teeth. Misaligned teeth that are pushing through your gums could shift your other teeth – leading to a misaligned bite, a whole other problem in itself.

Sometimes, this last set of molars can actually get stuck (known as impacted) between the gum tissue and jaw bone. This can be painful, but it also creates space for an infection to begin spreading. Unless your wisdom teeth come in perfectly aligned, they need to be extracted.

Is Tooth Extraction Painful?

Typically, your dentist will numb the area using a local anesthetic if your tooth has already erupted through the gum tissue. It’s a very simple procedure, but this isn’t always the case. When the tooth is still under the gum tissue, your dentist may use sedation dentistry in order to remove your teeth completely. Impacted wisdom teeth require your dentist to cut into your gums and work your tooth out from around your bone – basically, it’s a more complicated procedure.