Getting a tooth removed is not anyone’s idea of fun, but sometimes it’s necessary for your health. When is a tooth extraction the best option? How should you prepare for the surgery?

When You Need a Tooth Removed  

In a perfect world, you would keep all your natural teeth, but there are times when an extraction is the best treatment. For example, most people need their wisdom teeth removed at some point. Other reasons for tooth extractions include severe decay, infection, and advanced gum disease. Additionally, if we're making an orthodontic correction, we might need to remove a tooth. 

How to Prepare for a Tooth Extraction

Before your dental surgery, it’s a good idea to make sure everything is set with your insurance if you have it. If you don’t have insurance, Atlantic Dental Partners offers a Gold Plan that makes dental services more affordable. You should also set up your transportation since you won’t be able to drive yourself home. Depending on how involved your tooth extraction is, you may not be able to eat anything beforehand. If you smoke, you'll need to put a pause on that 12 hours before surgery. 

What’s the Extraction Process Like? 

On our end, we will closely review your medical and dental history. We’ll take X-rays, so we can see exactly what we need to do. We use a gentle technique that preserves as much of the surrounding tissue and bone as possible. The extraction itself isn't painful because of local anesthesia. We do offer sedation dentistry if you need extra help relaxing. 

Visit Atlantic Dental Partners for Your Dental Needs

Tooth extractions can be scary, so our dentists strive to make you feel comfortable during the process. After an extraction, we’ll provide post-op instructions and discuss what comes next. If you have any questions or suspect you might need a tooth removed, reach out to our Malden or Jamaica Plain offices today!