A tooth that has been broken or damaged by decay, may sometimes incur more damage than can be repaired. If this situation presents, removal of the tooth may be the best, or only solution.
There are other situations where tooth removal is also recommended:
- Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.
- People having orthodontic treatment (getting braces) may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
- People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted.
- People receiving drugs which weaken the immune system are more susceptible to infections. Teeth may become infected and those teeth may require removal.
- People receiving an organ transplant may need some teeth extracted if there is a possibility that a tooth or teeth could become sources of infection after the transplant. People with organ transplants have a high risk of infection because they must take drugs that decrease or suppress the immune system.
- Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, may be removed either before or after they come in. Many mouths do not have room to allow wisdom teeth to erupt (come in) will need to be removed before they cause complications or pain.