Extractions
When a tooth is too damaged to save or causing problems for your oral health, tooth extraction may be the best solution. While the thought of having a tooth removed can feel intimidating, modern dental extractions are safe and comfortable procedures performed with local anesthetic to keep you pain-free. Whether you need a simple extraction for a decayed tooth or surgical extraction for impacted wisdom teeth, understanding the process helps ease anxiety. From relieving severe pain to preparing your mouth for orthodontic treatment or a dental implant, extractions help protect your oral health and prevent future problems.
About Our Extractions
A tooth extraction is a dental procedure where your dentist removes a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Extractions become necessary when a tooth cannot be saved through other treatments like fillings or root canals. Common reasons include severe decay that has destroyed most of the tooth structure, advanced gum disease that has loosened teeth, infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, or teeth that are broken beyond repair from trauma.
There are two main types of dental extractions: simple and surgical. A simple extraction involves removing a tooth that’s visible above the gum line and can be accessed easily. Your dentist loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, then removes it using forceps. A surgical extraction is more complex and typically needed for teeth that haven’t fully erupted, are broken at the gum line, or have curved roots. This procedure may require a small incision in the gum tissue and sometimes removal of bone around the tooth. Wisdom teeth extractions often fall into this category, especially when the teeth are impacted or growing at awkward angles. We perform both types of extractions with local anesthetic to numb the area completely, so you feel pressure but no pain during the procedure.
Benefits of Extractions
Eliminates Pain and Infection
Severely decayed or infected teeth can cause intense, throbbing pain that interferes with eating, sleeping, and daily activities. When a tooth is too damaged for a root canal or filling to save it, extraction provides immediate relief from constant discomfort. Removing the source of infection also protects your health, as untreated dental infections can spread to other parts of your body. The extraction site heals naturally over time, and the persistent pain disappears once the problematic tooth is gone. You can eat comfortably and return to normal activities without the constant distraction of tooth pain.
Prevents Damage to Surrounding Teeth
Leaving a severely damaged or infected tooth in place puts your neighboring teeth at risk. Infection can spread from the affected tooth to adjacent teeth and gum tissue, potentially causing more extractions down the line. Impacted wisdom teeth can push against neighboring molars, causing crowding, damage, or increasing the risk of decay where teeth overlap. Removing problem teeth early protects the healthy teeth around them and saves you from more extensive dental work and higher costs in the future.
Creates Space for Orthodontic Treatment
Sometimes tooth extraction is necessary to achieve proper alignment through orthodontic treatment. When your mouth is too crowded for braces or clear aligners to work effectively, removing one or more teeth creates the space needed for remaining teeth to shift into their correct positions. Removing specific teeth allows orthodontists to straighten teeth without pushing them beyond the natural boundaries of your jawbone. The result is a healthier bite, improved appearance, and better long-term oral health. This planned removal as part of an orthodontic plan prevents more serious problems like impacted teeth or severe crowding later.
Prepares Your Mouth for Dental Implants
If you’re planning to get a dental implant, extracting the damaged tooth is the first step toward replacement. Leaving a failing tooth in place delays getting your implant and can lead to bone loss that makes placement harder. A clean extraction site heals properly and keeps the bone strong enough for an implant. Your dentist can often perform the extraction and place a bone graft simultaneously to preserve the socket dimensions. This step prepares your mouth for implant placement once the extraction site has healed completely.
Stops Progression of Gum Disease
Advanced periodontal disease can loosen teeth to the point where they’re no longer functional or comfortable. These mobile teeth create pockets where bacteria accumulate, worsening the gum disease and putting other teeth at risk. Removing teeth severely affected by gum disease stops the infection from spreading and lets your dentist focus on treating and keeping your other teeth healthy. Extracting these teeth gets rid of ongoing infection and swelling. With proper treatment of the remaining teeth and good oral hygiene, you can prevent further tooth loss and maintain better oral health.
Our Extractions Process
Initial Consultation
Your extraction begins with a thorough examination where we assess the tooth in question and take X-rays to understand its position and root structure. We discuss why extraction is necessary and review alternative treatment options if any exist. During this visit, we explain the type of extraction you’ll need—simple or surgical—and what to expect during and after the procedure. We also review your medical history and any medications you take to plan the safest approach for your situation.
Customized Treatment Plan
Based on your examination, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. We determine whether you’ll need a simple extraction or a surgical extraction, and if you’ll require any additional procedures like bone grafting for future dental implant placement. For wisdom teeth, we check all four teeth and decide which to remove. We provide clear information about the procedure timeline, recovery expectations, and costs so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Implementation of Treatment
On the day of your extraction, we begin by administering local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area completely. For a simple extraction, it may take 20-30 minutes. For surgical extractions, we may make a small incision in the gum, remove some bone around the tooth, or section the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal. These more complex extractions may take up to 45-90 minutes varying by situation. After removal, a blood clot forms naturally in the socket to begin the healing process.
Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
Protecting the blood clot in your extraction site is critical for proper healing and preventing dry socket. Bite down gently on gauze for 30-45 minutes after the procedure to control bleeding. Stick to soft foods for the first few days and avoid using straws, as the suction can dislodge the clot. Don’t rinse vigorously, smoke, or touch the extraction site with your tongue or fingers. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed and use ice packs on your face to reduce swelling during the first 24 hours.
Follow-Up
We schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your healing and remove any stitches if necessary. Most simple extractions heal within 1-2 weeks, while surgical extractions may take 3-4 weeks for the soft tissue to heal completely. The underlying bone continues to heal and remodel for several months. If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection between appointments, contact us immediately. Our team at Truly Yours Family Dental stays available to address any concerns during your recovery and help you heal completely.
Why Choose Us for Extractions
Truly Yours Family Dental performs extractions with a gentle touch and careful attention to your comfort throughout the process. Dr. Tuan Le and Dr. Ann Nguyen bring extensive training from Creighton University and years of experience with both simple and surgical extractions. Their skill in performing precise techniques means less discomfort and faster healing for you. We understand that tooth extraction can feel stressful, so we take time to explain everything clearly and answer all your questions before proceeding.
Our practice creates a calm, supportive environment where you feel like family rather than just another patient. We use modern techniques and tools to make extractions as quick and comfortable as possible. Whether you need a single tooth removed or all four wisdom teeth extracted, we provide the same careful, thorough approach. From initial consultation through complete healing, we’re here to support your recovery with clear aftercare instructions and prompt attention to any concerns that arise.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Schedule Your Extraction Consultation Today
Don’t let a damaged or painful tooth continue affecting your quality of life. Professional tooth extraction provides relief and protects your oral health from further complications.
Contact Truly Yours Family Dental at (619) 461-7700 to schedule your consultation and discuss your treatment options with Dr. Le and Dr. Nguyen.
Book Online
FAQs About Extractions
Here are answers to common questions about tooth extractions and recovery.
What to eat after tooth extraction?
Stick to soft foods that require minimal chewing for the first few days after your extraction. Good options include yogurt, smoothies (without a straw), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup (lukewarm, not hot), pudding, and applesauce. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could irritate the extraction site or dislodge the blood clot. As healing progresses over the first week, you can gradually reintroduce more solid foods based on your comfort level. Stay hydrated but avoid using straws, as the suction can cause dry socket.
How many wisdom teeth do you have?
Most people have four wisdom teeth—one in each corner of the mouth behind the second molars. However, some people naturally develop fewer than four wisdom teeth, and in rare cases, some develop extra wisdom teeth called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth typically begin emerging between ages 17 and 25, though they may never erupt if there isn’t enough space in your jaw. Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but many people require extraction due to impaction, crowding, or improper positioning that causes problems for neighboring teeth.
Is wisdom tooth removal a surgery?
Yes, wisdom tooth removal is considered oral surgery, especially when the teeth are impacted or haven’t erupted through the gum line. The procedure involves making an incision in the gum tissue, possibly removing bone around the tooth, and sometimes sectioning the tooth into pieces for easier removal. However, if wisdom teeth have erupted and are positioned normally, they may be removed through a simpler extraction process similar to other teeth. Either way, you’ll receive local anesthetic or sedation to keep you comfortable, and most patients recover within a few weeks.
How long does a tooth extraction take?
The time required depends on the complexity of your extraction. A simple extraction of a visible tooth typically takes 20-30 minutes from start to finish. Surgical extractions for impacted teeth or teeth with curved roots take longer, usually 45-60 minutes per tooth. Removing all four wisdom teeth in one appointment generally takes 45-90 minutes depending on how impacted they are and how easily they can be accessed. Your dentist will give you a more specific time estimate based on your X-rays and the condition of the tooth being removed.
How long does a tooth extraction take to heal?
Initial healing of the extraction site occurs within 1-2 weeks for simple extractions, and 3-4 weeks for surgical extractions. During this time, the soft tissue closes over the socket and the blood clot transforms into healing tissue. However, complete bone healing and remodeling takes 3-6 months as new bone fills in the socket where your tooth was. Most discomfort and swelling go away within the first few days, and you can return to normal eating habits within 1-2 weeks. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions closely helps you heal faster without problems.
Is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth?
Not everyone needs wisdom teeth removed—it depends on whether they’re causing problems or likely to cause problems in the future. Removal is necessary when wisdom teeth are impacted, causing pain, damaging adjacent teeth, contributing to crowding, or increasing risk of infection and gum disease. If your wisdom teeth have enough space to erupt, are positioned correctly, and can be cleaned properly, they may not need removal. Your dentist evaluates your wisdom teeth through clinical examination and X-rays to determine if extraction is necessary for your oral health.
Ready to get started? Give our friendly staff a call or request an appointment through our website!
Call Us!Book Online