Restorative
Tooth Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved, taking it out carefully — and planning what goes in its place.
We would rather keep a tooth than remove one, and we will tell you when saving it is realistic. But some teeth are past that point: split below the gum, decayed too far under an old crown, or held in by too little bone to be stable.
An extraction is quick when the tooth is straightforward. You feel firm pressure and movement, not sharpness — the area is fully numb. Some teeth need to be sectioned into pieces to come out without stressing the bone around them, which sounds worse than it feels and is usually gentler on the site.
The more important conversation happens before the tooth comes out: what goes in the gap. Neighboring teeth drift into a space and the opposite tooth grows down into it, so deciding early keeps your options open. We can often place a bone graft at the same appointment to keep the site suitable for an implant later.
Is this right for me?
- A tooth is broken below the gumline or split through the root.
- Gum disease has left a tooth loose enough to move when you push it with your tongue.
- A wisdom tooth keeps getting infected, or there is no room for it to come in straight.
What to expect
Deciding together
We show you the X-ray and say plainly whether the tooth can be saved, what saving it would involve, and what it would cost either way.
Numbing and removal
The area is fully numbed. You will feel pressure and movement. If you feel anything sharp, say so immediately and we stop and add more.
Protecting the site
We clean the socket and, if you may want an implant later, often place a bone graft now to preserve the ridge. Stitches sometimes, dissolvable ones.
Healing
You leave with written aftercare and our number. The first twenty-four hours matter most: no rinsing, no straws, no smoking.
Filling the gap
Once healed, we move on to the plan we agreed — implant, bridge or partial — or confirm together that leaving the space is fine in your case.
Your comfort
People are more anxious about extractions than almost anything else we do, and that is fair. Tell us and we slow down, explain each step before it happens, and take breaks. The noise and pressure are what surprise people, so we describe both in advance.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
How long does it take to heal?
The gum closes over in about a week to ten days. The bone underneath fills in over a few months. Most people are back to normal eating within a few days.
What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
It is when the clot in the socket is lost early, exposing bone, and it is genuinely painful. Avoid it by not smoking, not using straws, not rinsing forcefully and not spitting for the first day or two. If a deep ache starts around day three, call us — it is quickly treated.
Do I have to replace the tooth?
Not always. A wisdom tooth needs no replacement. For most other teeth, leaving the gap lets neighbors tilt and the opposing tooth over-erupt, which causes problems later. We will tell you which category yours is in.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
For a straightforward extraction, most people do. For a surgical one, plan on taking the rest of the day. Do not schedule an important meeting right after — the numbness alone makes talking awkward for a few hours.
What about pain afterwards?
We will give you specific written instructions for your situation before you leave, including what to take and when. Please follow those rather than general advice from a website — including this one.
Related services
Thinking about Tooth Extractions?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.