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Unrestorable permanent teeth

Unrestorable permanent teeth

Description: Much of the crown of the tooth has been destroyed by caries or has fractured off making restoration impossible, or the dental pulp is exposed and has formed a pulp polyp. 


Photograph of an unrestorable tooth

Image shows an unrestorable molar tooth.


Aim: To avoid pain.

Extract the tooth. 

  • Try to avoid extractions at the child’s first visit, if possible.

If, having exhausted all reasonable techniques to provide treatment locally, the child is unable to cope with the extraction, temporise the tooth, continue prevention and refer the child for specialist paediatric dental or orthodontic opinion (see Referral).