When a tooth needs surgical removal
A surgical extraction is required whenever a tooth can't be lifted out cleanly — typically because the roots curve in opposite directions, the tooth has fractured below the gum line, the bone has fused to the root (ankylosis), or a previous root canal has made the tooth brittle. In those cases the tooth is usually sectioned into smaller pieces and removed gently to protect the surrounding bone and tissue.
Protecting the site for the future
After a surgical extraction, the bone where the tooth used to sit starts shrinking right away. If you're considering a future implant — or even just want to keep your bite stable — bone grafting at the time of extraction is the simplest way to preserve the site. We'll discuss whether it's the right call for your specific case before any procedure begins.
Emergencies and infections
If your tooth is causing acute pain or you suspect an infection, we treat surgical extraction as part of emergency dental care — many cases include both drainage of the abscess and the extraction in a single Saturday appointment.
