What dental procedure involves the removal of a tooth?

The procedure that involves the removal of a tooth is known as extraction. This dental intervention is performed for various reasons, including the presence of a tooth that is severely decayed, infected, or impacted. An extraction can also be necessary to address overcrowding of teeth or to prepare for orthodontic treatment. The process typically involves administering local anesthesia to ensure the patient is comfortable, followed by the careful removal of the tooth from its socket in the bone. Post-extraction care is crucial to promote healing and manage any discomfort.

Root canal treatment focuses on preserving a tooth that is infected or traumatized by removing the infected pulp tissue inside the tooth instead of extracting it. A filling is used to restore a tooth that has cavities or damage, while scaling is a procedure aimed at cleaning the teeth above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar, rather than addressing tooth removal. Each of these procedures plays a significant role in dental care, but extraction specifically deals with the removal of a tooth.