Oral surgery
Tooth extractions in Billerica
Taking a tooth out is the last option, not the first. When it’s genuinely needed, doing it promptly saves you pain and trouble later.
When a tooth has to come out
We would always rather repair a tooth than remove it. A filling, a crown, or a root canal keeps your own tooth doing its job, and nothing replaces it quite as well.
But some teeth are past saving — decay below the gumline, a fracture running into the root, or advanced gum disease that has taken the bone holding it. Leaving one of those in place risks infection spreading to healthy teeth and bone. Wisdom teeth are a separate case: they often come in sideways or only partly through, where they can’t be cleaned and push on the tooth in front.
What to expect
Most extractions are simpler and quicker than people brace for.
1
Before
We take an x-ray to see the root shape and what’s around it, go through your medical history and medications, and explain what will happen. If you’re anxious about it, say so at this point — sedation is available where it’s warranted, and it’s better raised now than on the day.
2
During
The area is fully numbed. You’ll feel firm pressure — that part is normal — but not sharpness. Tell us if you do and we’ll add more anesthetic.
3
The first 24 hours
Bite on gauze to form a clot, use a cold compress, and rest. No smoking, no straws, no vigorous rinsing — all three can dislodge the clot and cause a dry socket, which is genuinely unpleasant.
4
Healing and what’s next
Soreness fades over a few days. Before you leave we’ll talk about whether the gap needs filling with an implant, bridge, or denture, and when.
Don’t leave a gap unplanned
When a tooth is removed and nothing replaces it, the teeth beside it drift into the space and the one above or below drops down looking for a partner. The bone under the gap thins out. What began as one missing tooth becomes a bite problem across several.
That doesn’t mean you must replace it immediately, and back molars are sometimes fine to leave. It means the decision should be deliberate — we’ll walk you through it rather than let it happen by default.
Common questions
Does an extraction hurt?
Not during — the area is thoroughly numbed and you should feel pressure but not pain. Afterwards, expect soreness for a few days, usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
How long is the recovery?
Most people are comfortable within three to four days. The socket takes a few weeks to close over and a few months to fill in with bone.
What is a dry socket?
It's when the blood clot protecting the socket is lost too early, exposing bone. It's painful and needs to be seen. Avoiding smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing for the first few days is the best prevention.
Do you take out wisdom teeth?
We assess them and handle straightforward cases. Deeply impacted wisdom teeth are often better referred to an oral surgeon, and we'll tell you which yours are.
Related treatments
Emergency dentistry
Same-day whenever we can, for pain, breaks, and swelling.
Dental implants
Replacing a tooth root and all, so the bone keeps working.
Root canal therapy
Clearing infection and keeping your own tooth.
Have a question about an extraction?
Call and we’ll talk it through — no appointment needed to ask.