How do I know if a tooth needs to be extracted?

In most cases, the patient cannot know and should leave that decision to the dentist. Only sometimes, if the tooth is in the terminal stage of periodontitis and is very mobile, it is a clear sign that the tooth is indicated for extraction. Although we always try to save a natural tooth, sometimes we have to resort to extraction. Teeth with an infection at the tip of the root that cannot be treated conservatively or surgically are indicated for extraction. Teeth are sometimes, although very rarely, extracted for orthodontic or prosthetic reasons.