Dental extraction is a common dental procedure performed to remove a tooth that is damaged, decayed, infected, or causing crowding in the mouth. While dentists always aim to preserve natural teeth whenever possible, extraction becomes necessary when a tooth cannot be saved through restorative treatments like fillings, root canals, or crowns.

There are two main types of extractions:

Simple extraction – for visible teeth that can be removed easily
Surgical extraction – for teeth that are impacted, broken below the gum line, or not fully erupted (e.g., wisdom teeth)
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and in some cases, sedation may be offered to ensure patient comfort. After the tooth is removed, the area is cleaned, and post-operative care instructions are provided to support healing.