The removal of a tooth by a professional is called a dental extraction. There are two main types of dental extraction, simple extraction and surgical extraction.

Simple dental extraction is used to remove teeth that can be seen and are easily accessible, whereas surgical dental extraction may require removal by an oral surgeon.
Illnesses, infections in the mouth and some medications can lead to teeth needing to be extracted as these conditions can be detrimental to overall good health.

In the case of simple overcrowding, an extraction may need be performed, which is often the case for wisdom teeth, one of the more common types of extractions. There are also cases in which baby teeth take an excessive period of time and may need to be removed, or for teeth that permanently are shifting after being fitted for braces.