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The fact that humans only grow two sets of teeth in the lifetime means that the second set must be maintained thoroughly. Even if modern medicine has afforded people painless tooth extractions, dentists only perform the procedure as a last resort.
The most common reason people need tooth extractions is because the tooth in question has become damaged to the point that it can no longer be repaired. Sometimes, this happens through decay, and sometimes, through infection. Normally, extraction is straightforward, unless infection has spread throughout the surrounding tissue.
Another common reason for extraction is the existence of wisdom teeth, especially in cases wherein the jaw of the person is too short. Though the procedure is normally harmless, when there is a lack of space for wisdom teeth, the other teeth become impacted or worse, infected.
There are also circumstances wherein some teeth that emerge are simply too large (or, conversely, the jaws may be too short). This affects the alignment of the teeth. Kami Hoss notes that there are also instances in which people have more teeth than normal.
Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is the CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists. He is also the CEO of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. He holds a master’s degree in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. Visit this blog for more dental care tips.