EXTRACTIONS

If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, Dr. Prouty will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment.   Sometimes, there's too much damage for the tooth to be repaired.  In this case, the tooth needs to be extracted.   

A very loose tooth also will require extraction if it can't be saved, even with bone replacement surgery (bone graft).

Here are other reasons for extractions:

• Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in. 
• Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out in time to allow the permanent teeth to come in. 
• People 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 cancer drugs may develop infected teeth because these drugs weaken the immune system. Infected teeth may need to be extracted. 
• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they could become a source of infection after an organ 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. are often extracted either before or after they come in.