If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, the dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. When there is too much damage for the tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted — or removed — from its socket in the bone.

TOOTH REMOVAL Procedures

There are two types of extractions:

• A simple extraction – this procedure is on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. For a simple extraction, the dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator. Then the dentist uses forceps to remove the tooth.

• A surgical extraction – this is a more complex procedure, which is used if a tooth may have broken off at the gum line or has not erupted in the mouth. The oral surgeon will make a small incision into your gum to surgically remove the broken tooth or impacted wisdom tooth.