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Tooth Extractions

We provide gentle tooth extractions with sedation options and bone grafting for future implants.

Gentle, Stress-Free Tooth Extractions

Why Choose The Dental Team for Tooth Extractions?

When a tooth extraction is necessary, it’s important to have the procedure performed by an experienced general dentist to ensure a comfortable, safe, and effective outcome.

At The Dental Team, we specialize in both simple and surgical extractions to remove damaged, decayed, or impacted teeth while preserving the health of your jaw bone and surrounding teeth. If a tooth cannot be saved or is non-restorable, we may recommend tooth extraction to prevent serious complications and restore your oral health. For those planning to replace a missing tooth, we also provide bone grafting to maintain the alveolar bone and prepare for dental implants.

Tooth Extractions AT A GLANCE

  • Comfortable & Stress-Free – Performed with local anesthesia and oral sedation options for a pain-free experience.
  • Quick Procedure, Fast Recovery – Most extraction appointments take 30-60 minutes, with initial healing in a few days and full healing in a few weeks.
  • Bone Grafting Available – Prevents jawbone loss and provides opportunity for future dental implants.
  • Relieves Pain & Prevents Infection – Removes damaged, decayed, or impacted teeth to improve overall oral health.
  • Multiple Tooth Replacement Options – Choose from dental implants, bridges, or dentures to restore your smile after extraction.

Why Some Teeth Have to Go

What is a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. While dentists prioritize saving natural teeth whenever possible, sometimes an extraction is the best solution for maintaining long-term oral health.

Tooth extractions may be necessary due to severe decay, infection, gum disease, trauma to the tooth or jaw, or overcrowding. The procedure is typically performed using local anesthesia to ensure minimal discomfort.

Smiling man in dentist's chair, relaxed atmosphere.

What to Expect

What is the tooth extraction procedure like?

Step 1: Preparing for the Procedure

Before the tooth extraction, we will review your medical history and current medications to ensure a safe procedure.

Step 2: Numbing the Area

A local anesthetic is applied to numb the surgical site and prevent discomfort. Oral sedation is available for patients with dental anxiety.

Step 3: Tooth Removal

  • For simple extractions, the tooth is loosened and carefully removed from the bony socket.
  • For surgical extractions, it may be necessary to make a small incision in the gum tissue and remove the tooth in sections.

Simple vs. Surgical Extractions

Types of Tooth Extractions

Simple Extractions

A simple extraction is performed when a tooth root is fully visible above the gumline. During this dental extraction, the general dentist or oral surgeon will:

  1. Administer a local anesthetic to numb the area.
  2. Use specialized tools to loosen the tooth socket.
  3. Gently remove the tooth with minimal impact on the surrounding bone.

This procedure is quick and minimally invasive, with fast healing and minimal downtime.

Surgical Extractions

A surgical extraction is needed for impacted teeth, fractured teeth, or molar removal when the tooth root is not easily accessible. This may involve:

  • Making a small incision in the gum tissue
  • Removing small portions of surrounding bone
  • Sectioning the tooth into pieces for easier removal
  • Protecting nearby cranial nerves, lingual nerves, and inferior alveolar nerve

Patients undergoing surgical extractions may receive local anesthesia or sedation options for enhanced comfort.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Many people need their wisdom teeth removed due to pain, infection, or lack of space in the dental arch. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause:

  • Severe pain in the jaw bone and gum socket
  • Pressure on adjacent teeth, leading to misalignment
  • Risk of infection and abscess formation
  • Complications with maxillary sinus health (for upper teeth)

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, we can perform wisdom teeth removal to prevent future oral health issues.

Preserving Jawbone Health After Extraction

Bone Grafting

After a tooth extraction, the bony socket naturally begins a process called bone remodeling, where the jaw bone shrinks over time. This can lead to:

  • Loss of support for other teeth
  • Difficulty placing dental implants in the future
  • Changes in facial structure

To prevent this, we offer bone grafting at the time of extraction. This procedure involves placing a biocompatible material into the extraction site to preserve the bone structure and prepare for future restorations like implants or bridges.

Patient smiling during dental check-up appointment.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Tooth Extraction Recovery & Aftercare

Proper post-extraction care helps ensure fast healing and minimal discomfort. Your dentist will provide detailed instructions for aftercare at home, which may include:

  • Keeping the gauze in place for the first hour to allow the blood clot to form.
  • Avoiding rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for the first 24 hours to prevent dry socket.
  • Using an ice pack to minimize swelling.
  • Eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and applesauce.
  • Avoiding hard and crunchy foods that could irritate the surgical site.

Most patients recover within a few days, with full healing taking a few weeks.

Restoring Your Smile

Tooth Replacement Options After Extraction

If a tooth needs to be removed, we can discuss tooth replacement options to restore your smile.

Dental Implants

The gold standard for tooth replacement, dental implants look and function like natural teeth. Bone grafting ensures a strong foundation for long-term success.

Dental Bridges

A fixed bridge can replace one or more missing teeth, using surrounding teeth for support.

Partial & Full Dentures

For multiple missing teeth, we offer custom dentures for a natural look and comfortable fit.

Tooth Extraction Frequently Asked Questions

No. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, and most patients feel only pressure, not pain during the procedure.

Initial healing occurs within a few days, but the bony socket and gum tissue take a few weeks to fully heal.

Dry socket commonly occurs when the blood clot is dislodged, exposing the underlying bone. It can cause severe pain and requires immediate treatment.

Yes. Many patients choose to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, often preceded by bone grafting to ensure long-term success.

Eat soft foods like smooth soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes while avoiding hard and crunchy foods that may disturb the surgical site.