In any scenario, your dentist’s primary objective will always be to try and save your natural tooth. However, some cases of damage, disease, and decay are so severe that no part of the natural is healthy enough to be saved. In these cases, in the interest of both immediate pain relief and long-term oral health, tooth extraction is typically recommended.
Let’s examine tooth extractions—what they are, the procedure in which they’re performed, and their role in ensuring lasting oral and overall health!
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a severely damaged or decayed tooth is removed. The procedure begins with the application of anesthetic via a topical numbing agent or injection to the area around the damaged tooth. Once the area is sufficiently numb to ensure a comfortable experience for the patient, the dentist begins gradually loosening the tooth in its socket in the jawbone until it is loose enough to be removed from the jawbone.
When Is A Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Extraction of a tooth may become necessary due to a variety of reasons. The most common include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth, also called third molars
- Severe untreated decay
- Untreated infection in the tooth or surrounding gums
- Advanced and untreated gum disease
- Severe cracking or breakage due to trauma or direct impact
- To create space for dentures or orthodontics
The Many Benefits of Tooth Extraction
While the reasons behind needing a tooth extraction are rarely pleasant, the good news is that this procedure offers myriad long-term benefits, including:
- Infection protection — Tooth extraction prevents the spread of infection to neighboring teeth and/or the jawbone.
- Improved functionality — Replacing a severely damaged tooth with a dental implant or other long-term tooth replacement solution improves biting, chewing, and speech.
- Aesthetic improvement — Extracting an irreparably damaged tooth contributes to a more attractive smile.
- Facilitating orthodontic treatments — Extractions can help to clear the space necessary in the mouth for orthodontic treatments.
- Preventing crowding — Removing a tooth that is causing overcrowding can help a person’s remaining teeth to align correctly.
Safe, Convenient, and Comfortable Tooth Extractions in Raleigh, NC
If you’re in Raleigh and looking for a highly skilled dental practice with extensive experience and expertise in guiding patients through tooth extraction procedures painlessly and in comfort, contact dentist Dr. William Turner and the caring and knowledgeable team at Cameron Village Dentistry to schedule a consultation.