Oral Surgery / Extractions
Dental Extractions and Bone Grafts
Although we make every effort to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime, there may be times extractions are indicated. Wisdom teeth may be impacted, an orthodontist may request removal of teeth to create a more ideal result, or occasionally decay or gum disease can progress to the point that a tooth is impossible to restore.
For most of our patients, a tooth can be easily removed with local anesthetic (novocaine). Some of our more nervous patients find that anxiety medication (conscious sedation) is helpful. Occasionally, we refer to an oral surgeon who will provide intravenous (IV) sedation.
When you make an appointment with our oral surgeons, recovery is normally quick, and most people can return to work or normal activities the following day. We have found that swelling is rare (except after wisdom teeth removal) and can be controlled with icepacks and anti-inflammatory medications.
Bone Grafting is often done in conjunction with an extraction when an implant is planned. Bone grafting will ensure that the implant is placed in an ideal position. There are other indications for a bone graft and this is always an individualized recommendation.
Oral Biopsy
At every hygiene appointment in our Tewksbury location, we examine your entire mouth. If we notice any unexplained changes to the soft tissues we may suggest a biopsy to determine the underlying cause. It is the only conclusive method to determine whether a change in the soft tissue is cancerous. In most cases, we discover that the tissue changes are non-cancerous and may have been caused by cheek biting or irritation from other causes.
Only rarely do we find that such changes of the cheeks, gums or palate may be signs of a more serious problem – in which case early detection is extremely important.
The biopsy typically involves sending a very small portion of the lesion to the Pathology Lab at Tufts University for microscopic evaluation. We normally have the results in less than a week. With dental lesions, early diagnosis is very important.
Content Reviewed and Approved by Dr. Nahata.
Dr. Nitish Nahata is an accomplished dentist who recieved his doctorate in dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has honed his skills through years of practice in the North Shore and Merrimack Valley areas. As a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the American Academy for General Dentistry, Dr. Nahata regularly participates in continuing education courses to enhance his knowledge and well-versed in the latest techniques and industry best practices.
