Tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure to remove a severely damaged tooth. Extraction may be necessary due to a variety of factors, the most common of which include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth (or “third molars”)
- Untreated tooth decay or infection in the surrounding gum tissue
- Advanced gum disease
- Impact-related tooth breakage
- To create space for orthodontics or dentures
The Tooth Extraction Process
Just before starting the extraction procedure, your dentist will apply a topical anesthetic, via a topical numbing agent or through injection, to the area around the damaged tooth. Once the area is numb, the dentist gently and gradually loosens the tooth in its socket in the jawbone until it can be fully removed from within the jawbone.
The Long-Term Benefits of Tooth Extractions
The many factors that can necessitate a tooth extraction are generally unpleasant. On the bright side, addressing these issues with the timely removal of a problematic tooth offers several long-term benefits:
- Tooth extraction prevents the spread of infection to surrounding teeth and the jawbone.
- Replacing a severely damaged tooth with a dental implant and crown fully restores biting, chewing, and speech functions — and self-confidence!
- Extracting badly damaged or misaligned teeth enhances smile aesthetics.
- Dental extraction helps clear space in the mouth for orthodontic treatments.
- Alleviating overcrowding and the risk of remaining teeth shifting out of alignment.
Pain-Free Tooth Extractions in Springfield, IL
If you’re in Springfield and need an experienced dental team with a track record of successful, painless, and anxiety-free dental extractions, contact Dr. Shane Ruggless and the excellent Ruggless Dental team to schedule a consultation.