When experiencing a toothache, wisdom teeth problems, or severe tooth decay, a dentist may need to extract, or pull, the affected tooth. This procedure, commonly referred to as tooth extraction, is performed to alleviate pain, prevent further dental issues, or make way for orthodontic treatment.
Tooth extraction is a relatively common dental procedure, with approximately 10.5 million extractions performed annually in the United States alone. While the process can vary depending on the specific tooth being extracted, it typically involves the use of local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. The dentist will then loosen the tooth using specialized instruments before gently extracting it using forceps. In some cases, the dentist may need to cut the tooth into smaller pieces to facilitate its removal.
