Tooth Extractions in Woburn, MA

At Mooney Dental, our experienced dental team is committed to providing high-quality, gentle care for all of our patients. We offer tooth extractions in Woburn, MA, to help restore your oral health. Our goal is always to make sure you feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire treatment process.

Simple Extraction vs. Surgical Extraction

Simple tooth extractions are generally used to remove teeth that are visible above the gum line. This type of extraction involves using a dental elevator and forceps to loosen the tooth, then removing it with an upward motion. While this method is generally quick and painless, some patients may require sedation prior to the procedure due to anxiety or fear.

Surgical extractions are typically used for teeth that are impacted, or those that are not visible above the gum line. During a surgical extraction, our oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums and remove bone tissue if necessary. Once the tooth is exposed, forceps may be used to extract it from its socket. Surgical extractions can take longer than simple extractions due to the complexity of the procedure.

Reasons for Getting Your Teeth Removed

1. Severe Tooth Decay

If decay has reached deeper layers of your tooth, it can cause severe pain and infection and no other forms of treatment may be able to repair it. In these cases, extraction may be necessary to prevent further damage and discomfort.

2. Orthodontic Treatment

In order to make room for other teeth and achieve the desired results, it may be necessary to remove some of your teeth in preparation for orthodontic treatment. This can help ensure that all of your teeth have enough space to align properly.

3. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When the wisdom teeth become impacted, they may not be able to erupt through the gums or may only partially erupt, leaving them vulnerable to decay and infection. To prevent further complications, extraction of the impacted wisdom teeth may be necessary.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

1. Cleaning and Numbing

Before beginning your surgical procedure, our team will thoroughly clean and disinfect the area. We may also use a local anesthetic to numb the area and reduce discomfort during the process. After the anesthetic takes effect, you should no longer feel any pain during the extraction.

2. Loosening the Tooth

Next, we will use a dental elevator and forceps to loosen the tooth from its socket. In some cases, we may need to cut away some of the gum tissue in order to access the tooth more easily.

3. Extracting the Tooth

Once the tooth is loosened, we will carefully remove it from its socket using forceps. We may need to use a dental drill to break up the tooth into sections if it is too large or difficult to extract.

4. Closing the Socket

After the tooth has been extracted, we will apply gauze to the area and have you bite down gently to help stop any bleeding from the socket.

Aftercare Following Your Dental Extraction

Here are some tips to help you through the healing process:

Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water or an antiseptic rinse to help keep the area clean and prevent infection. You can also apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling.
Take your prescribed medications as directed in order to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
Avoid crunchy or hard foods, which can irritate the extraction site and delay healing. Stick to soft foods like applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, and soups for a few days after the dental procedure.
Take it easy for the first 24 hours and avoid strenuous activities that can dislodge the blood clot.
It is important to stay hydrated following your procedure to avoid dry sockets.

Contact Us Today

At Mooney Dental, we will try to save your natural tooth whenever possible. If extraction is the only option, our oral surgeon will provide you with a comfortable and safe experience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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Tooth Extractions in Woburn, MA