Extraction might be recommended when a tooth cannot be restored through any other method. It involves the removal of the tooth in question. An extracted tooth could be replaced with either a removable prosthesis (denture) or a fixed prosthesis (bridge or implant). When a tooth is extracted, the remaining teeth shift slightly to fill the gap. This can affect the way you chew, swallow and speak. It also makes it difficult for your dentist to clean each tooth thoroughly when they visit. Extraction is usually a last resort and is only recommended if all other treatment options have been exhausted.



The most common reason for extraction is an infection that cannot be treated any other way. In these cases, your dentist will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take home. Another common reason for extraction is if the tooth is severely damaged or decayed. If this is the case, your dentist will first try to repair it, but if that’s not possible, they may recommend removal. When your dentist recommends extraction, they will likely offer you several options for replacement.

Your dentist may suggest a bridge, an artificial tooth made of porcelain fused to metal or bone. This is attached to the surrounding teeth, and it can be used as a replacement for one or more missing teeth. If you’re interested in getting a bridge, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth so that they can send them off to a lab where they will create your new tooth.