Root extraction

A dental extraction (also known as tooth extraction, exodontia, exodontics, or tooth pulling informally) is the removal of teeth from the alveolar bone’s dental alveolus (socket).

Extractions are performed for a number of reasons, but the most common are to remove teeth that have become irreversible due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, or oral trauma, particularly when they are coupled with pain.

Impacted wisdom teeth (wisdom teeth that are trapped and unable to develop properly into the mouth) can cause recurring gum infections (pericoronitis) and may need to be extracted when other conservative therapies have failed (cleaning, antibiotics and operculectomy).

If the teeth are crowded, healthy teeth (typically bicuspids) may be excised to provide room for the remainder of the teeth to be straightened.