Tooth Extractions – Wellesley, MA
Compassionate Tooth Removal
At Wellesley Dental Group, our team always strives to help patients keep their natural teeth. However, that is not possible in all cases. If circumstances give rise to the need for one or more tooth extractions, you can be confident that we will perform the procedure with compassion and top-level skills. Continue reading below to learn more about tooth extractions, and then give us a call if you would like further information about this restorative service.
Why Choose Wellesley Dental Group for Tooth Extractions?
- Experienced & Compassionate Dental Team
- Able to Perform Wisdom Tooth Extractions
- Sedation Available for Nervous Patients
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
We may determine that one or more tooth extractions are necessary if:
- A tooth is so severely decayed or damaged that attempting to repair it would be impractical or even impossible.
- We need to create more space in your mouth for dentures or orthodontia.
- A child’s baby tooth needs to be removed so the adult teeth can develop properly.
- A tooth is impacted (stuck beneath the gumline).
- A tooth is badly infected, and removing it is the best way to prevent the infection from spreading into nearby tissues.
- The wisdom teeth are causing pain or are threatening your future oral health.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
We start by making you comfortable. Not only will we numb your mouth, but, depending on circumstances, we may administer sedation as well.
Once you are settled in, we can use an instrument called an elevator to lift the tooth out of its socket. Then, we grip it with forceps and rock it in order to break the connective tissues holding it in place. Once the tooth is out, we clean the socket and place some gauze to control bleeding.
If a tooth is impacted, we may need to take additional steps. For example, we might have to make incisions in the gums or break the tooth into pieces.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
You can minimize your discomfort and lower your chances of post-op complications by applying these simple tips:
- Take medications, such as antibiotics or painkillers, as recommended by our team.
- After the first 24 hours, start regularly rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not use drinking straws.
- Eat a soft diet.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Avoid vigorous physical activity.
- Keep your head propped up on pillows when you are sleeping.
You should also attend all recommended follow-ups with our team. We may need to explore your tooth replacement options so you can reduce your risk of further tooth loss in the future. Tooth replacement can also support the aesthetics of your smile and help you to maintain a healthy bite.