You and Dr. Sutera may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

The Extraction Process

For the extraction procedure Dr. Sutera will completely numb the area with local anesthesia. You may also have the option of Sedation. During the extraction process you may feel some pressure, but no pain. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know and we will stop right away.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

While wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common procedure, many people remain misinformed about what all is entailed in the wisdom teeth removal process.

The third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, are the final teeth in the mouth to develop. The wisdom teeth are unique in their development in that they have many variations. Wisdom teeth often enter the mouth at unusual angles, have a variety of shapes, or may be unable to completely erupt due to limited space at the back of the mouth.

Due to these variations, the wisdom teeth can often cause pain or complications. Wisdom teeth can also make it difficult for a patient to maintain oral hygiene and may cause crowding/shifting of the other teeth in the mouth.

To prevent complications, wisdom teeth are routinely removed. The wisdom teeth removal process is done entirely in the office under either local anesthesia or with IV sedation.

Your Wisdom Teeth Removal Dentist

As a top-tier wisdom teeth removal dentist, Dr. Sutera ensures that patients are fully comfortable and pampered throughout the third molar extraction procedure.

Dr. Sutera generally recommends his patients give themselves a vacation for a few days to rest at home. Healing after the wisdom teeth removal process produces mild to moderate bruising and swelling, and generally is uneventful after a few days rest.

The patient will generally be able to return to their normal routine in 4 to 7 days.

Contact Us

If you are in need of wisdom teeth removal in Waltham or the Boston metro area, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Sutura is one of the best wisdom teeth removal dentists in the area who continually educates himself on the latest techniques for wisdom teeth removal.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.

After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use pain medication as directed. Call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you should begin feeling better and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, or continued swelling for more than 4 days, or a reaction to a medication, call our office immediately.