Tooth extractions are always our last resort when it comes to dental care. We always explore other options first with the goal of keeping your smile healthy and intact. However, in some situations, the best solution is to remove a tooth. This typically occurs when the tooth is so severely damaged that repairing it would not be feasible. This could be the case because of progressed tooth decay or severe damage from injury.
Additionally, a common type of tooth extraction is wisdom teeth removal. Many patients do not have enough room in their mouth for their final set of molars to grow in. Instead, these teeth can become impacted or grow in at the wrong angles, leading to painful symptoms and even health risks. With the right dentist, a tooth extraction can be a quick and painless procedure.
Many patients are surprised at how fast and pain-free a tooth extraction can be. For simple extractions, we use local anesthetic and can remove the tooth in a matter of minutes. For more involved procedures, patients sometimes require heavier sedation to ensure a painless experience. It depends on the type, position, and status of the tooth. For example, an impacted wisdom tooth may require a more complex procedure than removing a damaged front tooth (e.g., an incisor).
Once the surgery is over, many patients can resume most activities within a couple of hours. However, you will need someone to drive you home if you had anything stronger than local numbing for the procedure. Recovery is typically well-tolerated and over quickly.
While tooth extraction is technically a surgery, it is one that patients can quickly recover from. For simple extractions, patients may have only a couple of days of minor discomfort and swelling afterward. These soon resolve and rarely interfere with most day-to-day activities. Still, we recommend avoiding strenuous activity (e.g., cardio exercises) until the socket is well healed. Once you are fully healed, you can begin exploring tooth replacement options, such as dental implants or bridges.
Wisdom teeth removal typically has a slightly longer recovery period, due to the procedure often being more complex. Patients can expect to take about 3 to 5 days off from school or work for the initial healing period. Overall, the recovery may last about 1 to 2 weeks, after which you can return to regular levels of activity.
Tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removals are not painful because they are always performed under local anesthesia. Modern anesthetics are extremely effective and completely numb the procedure site, blocking all unpleasant sensations. If you experience severe dental anxiety or find it challenging to remain in the same position for a long time, your dentist might offer one of the conscious sedation options in addition to a local anesthetic.
A tooth extraction costs between $350 and $700 per tooth, depending on the type of extraction and the complexity of the case. Simple extractions of fully erupted teeth are always cheaper than complex surgical extractions.
A simple tooth extraction procedure can take as few as 10 to 15 minutes, with the tooth pulling itself taking only a couple of minutes. Surgical extractions typically take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
A simple tooth extraction is suitable for fully erupted and intact teeth. During this procedure, your dentist will use forceps to pull the tooth out of its socket. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth is partially or fully hidden by the gum tissue or broken and can not be effectively held with forceps. During a surgical extraction, your dentist will make incisions in the gum to gain access to the tooth and then remove it.
In the majority of cases, a local anesthetic is sufficient to completely block the pain during tooth extraction. A local anesthetic is administered via injection in the gum and takes effect within a couple of minutes. In cases of lengthy and complicated surgical extractions of multiple teeth, your dentist may use one of the sedative options instead of, or in addition to, a local anesthetic.
We do offer same day and emergency tooth extractions. If you experience a severe toothache or swelling, do not hesitate to contact our office at 818-717-78-72, and we will do our best to admit you as soon as possible.
In the first 24 to 48 hours after a tooth extraction, you should adhere to a liquid diet to avoid straining the jaw and irritating the procedure site. Examples of a liquid diet include broths, smoothies, kefir, etc. After that, adhere to a soft diet for the next 4 to 6 days, depending on how fast you recover. Examples of a soft diet include pureed soups, mashed potatoes, soft bread without seeds, soft cutlets, tofu, etc. Avoid very hot or cold, spicy, hard, crunchy, and sticky foods.
23622 Calabasas Rd Suite 148
Calabasas, CA, 91302
Monday – Friday
8AM – 5PM
Open on Select Saturdays for your convenience. Space is Limited.
190 N Canon Dr., Suite 203
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Monday – Friday
8AM – 5PM
Open on Select Saturdays for your convenience. Space is Limited.
7514 Girard Ave, Suite 7
La Jolla, CA 92037
Monday – Friday
8AM – 5PM
Open on Select Saturdays for your convenience. Space is Limited.
23622 Calabasas Rd Suite 148
Calabasas, CA, 91302
190 N Canon Dr., Suite 203
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
7080 Hollywood Blvd #808
Los Angeles CA 90028
Accessibility Statement: Our office is committed to providing accessible care for all patients and strives to comply with ADA accessibility standards. If you need assistance or accommodations, please contact our office at 818.717.7872 and we will be happy to help.
