Sometimes, removing a tooth is simply the best step towards feeling better again, especially when a tooth is causing ongoing pain, damage, or excessive crowding. At the Placerville Dental Group, we understand that considering an extraction may cause stress, so we focus on making the experience as calm, clear, and comfortable as possible. Our team walks you through exactly what to expect before, during, and after your visit, so there are no surprises.
Our dentists perform both simple and surgical tooth extractions, including wisdom teeth extraction, using modern anesthesia options and gentle techniques. We also provide replacement options like dental implants or bridges to help you meet your smile goals.
Schedule A Tooth Extraction Consultation
Benefits
- Pain relief and infection control: Removes the source of severe pain and possible infection, which protects the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Orthodontic space management: Creates the space needed to successfully align teeth as part of an orthodontic plan.
- Prevention of future problems: Removes impacted or non-restorable teeth before they cause cysts, damage, or decay in neighboring teeth.
- Clear possibility of restoration: Enables timely replacement with an implant, bridge, or partial denture to restore your bite and smile.
Procedure
Step 1: Consultation and Exam
The Placerville Dentistry team first starts by carefully reviewing your medical history. At this consultation appointment, we will also take X-rays, which help us evaluate the problematic tooth, its roots, and the surrounding bone. If extraction is what is recommended, local anesthesia and sedation options are clearly explained to help you feel confident about the upcoming procedure.
Step 2: Simple vs. Surgical Extraction
- Simple extraction: This is for fully-erupted but loosened teeth. This extraction gently elevates the tooth and easily removes it with forceps.
- Surgical extraction: For more complex cases, such as teeth that are broken, impacted, or have not erupted yet. A small incision in the gum creates the necessary opening to remove the tooth, and in some cases, minimal bone removal or sectioning of the tooth helps with safe removal.
Step 3: Comfortable, Controlled Care
Our Placerville dentist ensures that you feel only pressure, not sharp pain, during your extraction procedure. After the tooth is removed, the extraction area is cleaned, clot formation is confirmed, and clean gauze is placed. At times, stitches may be recommended.
Is Extraction Right For You?
- Qualifying Conditions: If you have extensive tooth decay, cracks in the tooth below the gumline, or a previous root canal that failed, then you will certainly benefit from an extraction procedure. In addition, extraction may also be recommended for wisdom teeth that are not erupting at all or are incorrectly erupting or causing crowding.
- Safety First: Our dental team in Placerville always treats your safety and comfort as a priority. Please be sure to inform us if you are taking blood thinners, have had a recent illness, are pregnant, or have experienced previous anesthesia complications. Rest assured, our team is happy to coordinate with your physician if necessary to ensure you receive the best care.
- Alternatives When Possible:If our Placerville dentist believes that a tooth can still be saved, he may recommend root canal therapy, placement of a crown, or gum disease treatment. For orthodontic crowding, Invisalign may create space without removing teeth in select cases.
Cost & Insurance
Fees vary with tooth type (front vs. molar), complexity (simple vs. surgical), and whether sedation or bone grafting is needed. Many dental insurance plans provide benefits for extractions; our team reviews your coverage and estimated co-pay before treatment.
If you don’t have insurance, no worries! We accept CareCredit®, Cherry and Proceed Finance, making it easier to fit treatment costs into your budget.
Aftercare and Maintenance
- Control bleeding & swelling: Bite on gauze for 30–60 minutes. Use a cold compress for 20 minutes on, followed by 20 minutes off, for the first day.
- Protect the blood clot: Do not smoke or vape; avoid straws, spitting, and vigorous rinsing for the first 24 hours.
- Oral hygiene: Continue gentle brushing, avoiding the socket on day one. After 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water 2–3 times daily.
- Diet: Start with cool, soft foods like yogurt, eggs, and pasta. As you begin to heal, you may add back to your diet other foods; however, it is better to avoid hot, crunchy, or carbonated items early on.
- Activity: Get plenty of rest post surgery and no strenuous exercise for 48–72 hours.
- When to call us: Worsening pain after day 3, fever, prolonged bleeding, foul taste or odor, or visible bone may indicate a “dry socket.” We can relieve pain and re-dress the site promptly.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Is a tooth extraction painful?
Most of our patients report feeling pressure during the procedure, but not sharp pain. If you are unusually anxious or need more complex care, we thoroughly explain and recommend sedation options to help you relax.
What’s the difference between a simple and surgical extraction?
A simple extraction removes a fully visible tooth above the gumline using only forceps to loosen and pull the tooth out. A surgical extraction is used for broken or impacted teeth requiring a small incision to be made in the gum and sectioning of the tooth for safe removal.
How long is recovery?
Recovery time is based on the procedure you receive. Primary healing begins in 24–48 hours, with most routine extractions feeling much better by day 3–4. Surgical or wisdom tooth extractions usually take a few days longer. Please avoid smoking, straws, and heavy exercise to support the normal healing process.
What can I eat after an extraction?
It is best to skip small seeds, chips, and hot or carbonated drinks in the beginning, opting instead for cool, soft foods the first day, such as smoothies by spoon, yogurt, applesauce, eggs, and pasta. As you become comfortable, you can slowly return to your usual diet.
What is a dry socket and how do I prevent it?
A dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot in the extraction area dissolves or dislodges, exposing the nerve and bone. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended that you avoid smoking, using straws, and vigorous swishing/rinsing the mouth for 24 hours.
Will I need to replace the tooth?
Replacing a missing tooth with dental implants or bridges is a personal decision. It is important to understand that replacing the extracted tooth helps maintain chewing function and prevents remaining teeth from shifting. Our Placerville dentist will review the pros and cons of replacement and the estimated timeline for this procedure.
Can I drive myself home?
If you receive oral or IV sedation, you need to arrange for a licensed adult to drive you home and stay with you until the effects wear off. This is not necessary if you opt for local anesthesia.
Do you remove wisdom teeth?
We do provide wisdom teeth extraction based on each patient’s situation. Our Placerville dentist evaluates each case and provides a recommendation along with sedation options for the best results.
