Tooth extraction

• A tooth is so severely decayed or damaged that a dental restoration such as a crown or filling will not effectively restore the tooth

• There are too many teeth to properly fit in the mouth

• Infection has destroyed a significant portion of the tooth and supporting bone structure.
  

Under local anesthesia, a tooth is extracted from the jaw with forceps or other dental instruments. After tooth extraction, a gauze pad is placed over the hole of the extracted tooth. Bleeding from the hole of the extracted tooth normally stops after a few minutes. In the case of more prolonged bleeding, hemostatic sponges are used, plugging of the well.