If a tooth has been damaged by decay or a fracture, Dr. Shimizu will first try to repair it and restore it with a filling, crown or other treatment. However, on occasion, the damage may be too extensive for the tooth to be repaired. This is the most common reason for extracting a tooth.

Other reasons are that some people have extensive bone loss around the roots of the teeth due to advanced periodontal (gum ) disease while others may have extra teeth that block new teeth from coming in. Also, if a patient is undergoing orthodontic work, teeth may need be removed in order to create space for the teeth being moved into place.

People undergoing radiation treatment, chemotherapy or organ transplants may need to have teeth removed because of infections associated with a weakened immune system.

Wisdom teeth are often extracted before or just after they come in. A wisdom tooth that has partially emerged may be blocked by other teeth and not have enough room to come in completely. This can irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling, which requires the tooth to be removed.