Extractions

Pemberton Dental Associates are your local Cosmetic, Implant, and General Dentists located in Lawrence, MA.

Dental Extractions at Pemberton Dental Associates

Explore our Dental Extraction Services

While it is usually a last-case scenario, sometimes it is necessary to remove a tooth due to infection or other issues. There are two main types of tooth extraction procedures; surgical and non-surgical. Surgical extractions are frequently performed for the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. We provide dental extractions at our office in Lawrence Massachusetts.

Dental Extractions Q & A

Why would my tooth need to be removed?

Tooth extractions happen for a variety of reasons. Before a tooth is extracted, a dentist will need to examine your mouth and decide whether or not it is the right procedure. In most cases, dentists try to provide other procedures that can save and preserve the tooth if possible. You might need your tooth extracted for one of the following reasons:

  1. Severe Tooth Decay: Dental decay progresses over time. What can start as the demineralization of your enamel can eventually become a cavity and then an infection. When tooth decay starts it can usually be solved with a filling, dental crown, or root canal depending on where the decay has spread. But if the decay is severe, the tooth might need to be fully removed.
  2. Issues With Alignment: If your mouth is not large enough to support your smile of teeth, you might need to have a tooth or a group of teeth removed. One of the most common examples of this is the removal of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can become impacted which leads to issues for the surrounding teeth. Removing these teeth can prevent infection and damage to your other molars.
  3. Dental Injuries: A sports injury or other sudden injury can leave a tooth cracked, broken, loose, or otherwise damaged. While the goal of dentists is to find ways to fix or preserve the tooth, that is not always possible. In some cases, the only solution is to remove the tooth or partial tooth that is left.

What are my options for a tooth extraction?

One of the best options for replacing a lost adult tooth is a dental implant. This surgical procedure replaces the full tooth including the tooth root by implanting a post underneath the gumline. Dental bridges can put stress on the healthy teeth that are used to anchor the bridge in place. But dental implants fully replace the form and function of a healthy tooth.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Extractions

What Should You Do After A Dental Extraction?

Your dentist will provide post-care instructions after you get your tooth extracted. If you receive dental sedation or anesthesia, you will need to have someone else drive you home, as it is unsafe to drive. Depending on your treatment, post-care instructions may differ. For example, you may need to pick up prescription medication, or need to change your diet if you had a surgical extraction. It is imperative you follow the instructions given to you by your dentist as they can differ significantly based on the treatment and procedure you receive. 

It depends on the procedure and the patient. For a typical tooth extraction, a patient may need to rest 1-3 days before returning to work, daily activities. Full healing can take several weeks. For surgical extractions, the initial healing period is longer and requires more changes to your day-to-day life to handle discomfort, swelling, and stitches. 

Defer to your dentist’s instructions regarding eating and drinking after an extraction. If it is a typical extraction that does not require surgery, it is common to not eat or drink for around three hours after the procedure. When you start eating, it is recommended to eat soft food and to chew on the side of your mouth that did not receive the extraction. However, this advice may not align with your particular situation. If you had wisdom tooth surgery, for example, you would likely only be able to drink liquids like chicken broth for a few days after your surgery. 

Yes, sedation can be used for tooth extraction treatments. In fact, sedation is almost always used for surgical wisdom tooth extraction. But it can also be used for other simpler extractions if a patient is nervous about having their teeth extracted. Of course, you have to find a dentist who provides sedation. 

It depends on the plan. For the most part, insurance plans tend to provide some level of coverage for dental treatments that are medically necessary. So if a patient needs to have their tooth removed, it will usually receive some type of coverage, but it is important to consult your plan. You may have a deductible for tooth extractions and similar treatments and/or copays. 

Our dental office in Massachusetts is proud to work with MassHealth. MassHealth Dental does include coverage for dental extractions. That said, it is important to check with your plan. Some services require prior approval. As a MassHealth dentist we are aware of this and will request approval before we provide services. 

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