The retention of a tooth is nearly always better than extraction. Our aim is to achieve the best outcome over the long term while giving you the most satisfactory function and appearance possible, whether it be through extraction. For children, the primary (deciduous) teeth, sometimes called baby teeth are rarely extracted unless they are unrestorable.

Reasons for extraction

May have to be removed for several reasons:

• Extensive damage to a tooth
• Periodontal disease: due to poor dental hygiene and a build-up of plaque and calculus (tartar) on a tooth, the gums may become inflamed and infected.
• Prevention of complications: badly diseased teeth, if not extracted promptly, may cause complications such as infections or abscesses in the teeth or roots or the spread of infection through the bloodstream to other areas of the body may occur
• To improve appearance: Your dentist may recommend extraction in the case that a tooth may be interfering with another.
• Teeth with no function: extraction may be encouraged if a tooth does not have an opposing partner to grind against during chewed.
• Vertical cracks in a tooth root: A root can shift or split and crack upwards or downwards. If repair is not possible, extraction may be necessary

Removing a tooth or teeth is only dine after careful consideration and discussion with your dentist. Your dentist will make every effort to preserve your teeth, as it is generally better than artificial teeth such as dentures.

Sometimes a minor dental surgery is needed to extract extremely broken teeth. This will be performed in sterile conditions with local anaesthetic by our experienced dental practitioner.