When the extraction of a tooth is required:

1. An incision in the gums is made
2. The tooth is removed
3. The area is stitched up and is allowed to heal

During this time, it is important to think about a tooth replacement option. An extracted tooth leaves an open area in the jaw which, in time, allows the neighboring teeth to migrate into the area where the tooth was extracted. This causes a chain reaction to all the surrounding teeth, and puts you at a much higher risk for alignment or bite problems. Also, if you are considering placing an implant in the future, you should consider asking your dentist to place a bone graft at the time of surgery to preserve the bone width and height.