Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Tooth Loss
As a family dental office, we frequently work with parents to help them navigate the transitional period when their children lose their teeth. But when an
September 15, 2026
Tooth extractions are a treatment that is usually only done when absolutely necessary. For example, when possible adult teeth can be saved through treatments like root canals, dental crowns, or dental fillings. As for baby teeth, it is recommended that they fall out naturally if possible. That said, there are a variety of reasons a tooth might need to be extracted. We provide tooth extractions for patients including children and teens as well as adults at our offices throughout Chicago. If you are in need of this treatment or other general dental treatments, please contact our offices to schedule an appointment or get more information about our services. Otherwise, continue reading to learn more about tooth extraction treatments, when they are done, and when they would be recommended.
Primary teeth or baby teeth are the first set of teeth a child has. Normally, these teeth fall out on their own right before the adult teeth erupt through the gum line to replace them. That said there are some complications that can occur where a child might need one or more of their baby teeth removed. It is NEVER recommended that you pull out a baby tooth at home. This can cause damage and unnecessary pain and discomfort for your child. If a baby tooth is not falling out or an adult tooth is coming in behind it, you should talk to a family dentist. First and foremost, they might recommend waiting at home and letting the process occur naturally. A child can be encouraged to wiggle their teeth to help loosen it but they should never pull it out. In some cases, a baby tooth needs to be extracted. If that is the case for your child, we can help.
In some cases, an adult tooth might need to be removed. Again, it is usually the last resort. First a dentist will look for every way they can help save the adult tooth. Root canal treatments, dental crowns, or dental fillings can all help remove damaged sections of a tooth instead of the entire tooth. But if a tooth is not savable, it might need to be extracted. Not only will this alleviate symptoms like a severe toothache, but it will also prevent infection and further damage. An infected tooth can damage the gums, surrounding teeth, and the jawbone overtime. If a tooth cannot be saved, it is best to be extracted.
Outside of teeth that are impacted by decay and bacteria, there is a one set of teeth that sometimes need to be extracted even if they are healthy. Wisdom teeth are a set of final molars that tend to erupt around ages 16-20. They are extracted usually because there is not enough room in the mouth for those teeth to grow-in without causing problems. In some cases instead of coming in to the mouth they erupt at an angle and press into the next set of molars. In those cases, the wisdom teeth need to be surgically extracted. In other cases, the wisdom teeth can get through the gumline but still cause issues with bite alignment and crowding and need to be non-surgically extracted.
It depends on the child. A common mistake that can be made by parents is putting sometimes too much stock into timelines. While timeline charts for baby and adult teeth can be helpful, there is a lot of variance from child to child. It isn’t uncommon to have a child who is ahead of or behind the average schedules. So for example, if your child still has one of their baby teeth past the “average” age when they should lose that tooth, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is any issue. Another concern parents have is when adult teeth are erupting before the baby teeth fall out. These two process happen around the same time and they can get out of sync. Sometimes an adult tooth will push out through the gum line before the baby tooth falls out. In all regards relating to a child’s oral health, the best thing you can do is see a dentist that works with kids. A dentist can take X-rays and determine if any dental interventions are necessary. And if they are not they will give you advice and approved methods for loosening the tooth naturally without causing pain or problems for your child.
While many dentists provide wisdom tooth extraction, not all dentists provide surgical extraction. In those cases, they will likely provide a recommendation or referral to a dentist who specializes in wisdom tooth surgery. A surgical treatment is significantly different from a non-surgical one. Surgical treatments often require different anesthetics, technology, and recovery. If the wisdom teeth are impacted or trapped under the gums, they need surgical extractions provided by a dentist that specializes in that treatment. But if the teeth have made it through the gums, they might be able to be extracted without any surgery. The extraction is similar to removing any other tooth.
With five offices throughout Chicago, our team is here to help parents and their children with their oral health. From regular preventative care including exams, cleanings, and dental X-rays, to helping save teeth with dental crowns, fillings, and root canals, our team is here to help preserve your smile long-term.
We also provide a variety of treatments that can help patients who have had extensive damage to their teeth. This includes both extracting teeth and replacing them with dental bridges.
For more information on any of our services, or to set up an appointment with one of our five offices, please contact our team. We would be happy to get you on our schedule.
As a family dental office, we frequently work with parents to help them navigate the transitional period when their children lose their teeth. But when an
Teaching your kids strong oral habits from an early age can help set them up for life. By incorporating simple dental practices into their daily routine,
As family dentists, we are here to help patients of all ages manage their oral health. We primarily work with families at our five locations throughout