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Tooth Extraction
A tooth that is severely damaged may need to be removed. A surgeon who specializes in surgeries of the mouth (oral and maxillofacial surgeon) or your dentist can remove a tooth.
Before removing your tooth, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. A stronger, general anesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of your teeth need to be removed. General anesthetic prevents pain in the whole body and will make you sleep through the procedure.
After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. You can gently bite
down on a cotton gauze pad placed over the wound to help stop the bleeding. The
removed tooth can be replaced with an implant, a denture, or a
bridge. A
bridge 
is a replacement for one or more (but not all)
of the teeth and may be permanent or removable.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 3, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Steven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry | |
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