Tooth Extractions – Lakeville, MA

At Southeastern Dental Care, we are dedicated to helping our patients maintain healthy, complete smiles for a lifetime. However, if a tooth becomes badly damaged or infected, removing it may be the best course of action. Neglecting a problematic tooth can lead to greater pain and potentially a dental emergency. Fortunately, our talented team can alleviate dental discomfort with quick and comfortable tooth extractions in Lakeville. Read on to learn how this common dental treatment can deliver pain relief and improve your oral health.

Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

We never move forward with tooth extractions without first considering all other options. If your tooth can be saved or repaired, we’ll likely first recommend a dental crown, root canal therapy, or other restorative treatment. However, you may benefit from a tooth extraction if you have:

• Extensive decay or damage in a tooth
• Advanced gum disease or jawbone deterioration
• Severe dental infection that could spread to other teeth
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• An overcrowded smile that prevents orthodontic treatment

The Process of Removing a Tooth

There are two primary methods for tooth extractions in Lakeville:

• Simple extraction – We will likely use this method of extraction if your tooth has fully emerged from the gums. After first numbing your mouth, we will use a special pair of forceps to gently rock your tooth back and forth until it naturally separates from the gum tissue.
• Surgical extraction – If your tooth has not erupted from the gums or has broken off, we will likely perform a surgical extraction. In this case, we will first make a small incision in the gums to reveal more of the tooth. Next, we will pull the entire tooth out or cut it into smaller pieces and remove them one by one.

The only way to determine which tooth extraction method is right for you is to visit our office for a consultation. Dr. Bui and Dr. Faibish are both experienced dentists in Lakeville and will carefully consider your unique situation. We will create a custom extraction plan to remove your compromised tooth and relieve your pain.  

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

After your tooth is removed, we’ll provide you with personalized aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Those instructions may include the following tips:  

• Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medication as directed by your dentist
• Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated immediately following surgery
• After 24 hours, clean your mouth by gently rinsing with salt water (8oz warm water with half teaspoon of salt)
• Avoid eating hard, crunchy, sticky, sour, and spicy foods for several days to a week
• Avoid spitting or drinking through a straw, as this could dislodge the blood clot that protects the extraction site
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco or you may delay healing

Do not worry if you experience swelling, mild discomfort, or light bleeding after your tooth extraction. You can manage these common outcomes by taking pain medication as directed and applying an ice pack to your cheek. However, if these symptoms don’t go away after a few days or seem to get worse, contact our office right away.