Tooth Removal in Newton Centre
Nobody books a dental visit hoping to lose a tooth. Dr. Kaceli feels the same way, which is why she looks at every other option first. A cracked or infected tooth can often be kept with a crown or a root canal.
Sometimes the honest answer is that the tooth has to come out. Leaving a tooth that can't be repaired can mean ongoing pain, infection that spreads to the surrounding bone, or damage to the teeth next to it. In those cases, a well-planned extraction protects the rest of your mouth.
Simple and Surgical Extractions Explained
A simple extraction is for a tooth that is fully visible above the gum. After numbing the area, Dr. Kaceli loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator and removes it in one piece. Many patients are surprised by how quick it is.
A surgical extraction is for a tooth that is broken off at the gumline, has curved or long roots, or hasn't come in. A small opening is made in the gum, the tooth may be divided into sections so it comes out in smaller pieces, and the area is closed with stitches.
Your X-rays usually make it clear which type you need. Dr. Kaceli will explain it before the day of treatment.
Reasons a Tooth May Need to Come Out
- Decay that has destroyed too much of the tooth for a filling or crown
- A crack that runs below the gumline or splits the root
- An infection that can't be cleared with root canal treatment
- A tooth loosened by advanced gum disease
- Wisdom teeth that are impacted, crowded or causing pain
If you've been told elsewhere that a tooth needs to be pulled, you're welcome to come in for another look. Sometimes the answer is the same. Sometimes there's another way.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to arrive, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Plenty of people never have trouble with them. Others don't have room, so the teeth come in at an angle, stay trapped under the gum, or only partly break through.
A partly erupted wisdom tooth is hard to keep clean, and food caught around it can lead to swollen, sore gums. Impacted teeth can press on the molar in front. Dr. Kaceli will check your wisdom teeth on X-rays during routine dental exams in Newton and tell you whether they're fine to leave alone or better removed.
What to Expect on Extraction Day
- Review and numbingDr. Kaceli goes over your X-rays and health history, then numbs the tooth and the gum around it. If you're anxious, comfort options can be discussed when you book.
- Removing the toothYou'll feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain. Tell us right away if you do, and we'll stop and add more anesthetic.
- Closing the siteGauze goes over the area to help a clot form. Surgical extractions usually get a few stitches.
- Going homeYou'll leave with instructions for the next few days and a number to call if anything worries you.
Healing and Next Steps
The first day or two are usually the most tender. Rest, keep the gauze in place as directed, and stick to soft, cool foods. Avoid smoking, spitting hard or drinking through a straw early on, since these can disturb the clot that protects the socket.
Call us if bleeding doesn't slow down, if swelling gets worse after a few days, or if pain increases instead of easing.
Once the area has healed, you can decide how to fill the space. Options include dental implants, a dental bridge or a partial denture. Many patients find it easier to choose before the extraction, so the plan is ready.
Why Choose Kaceli Dental Studio in Newton?
Patients from Newton Centre, Wellesley, Needham, Brookline and Dedham come to us when a tooth is giving them trouble. Our Newton office offers same-day emergency visits, so a painful tooth can often be looked at without a long wait.
Dr. Kaceli's first instinct is to save what she can. When an extraction is the right call, Amy Orsini at the front desk can check your insurance benefits and prepare a pretreatment estimate, and financing through Cherry and Sunbit is available for the larger costs that come with replacing a tooth.
