We work hard to save teeth — but sometimes a tooth is too damaged, too infected, or too crowded to keep, and the healthiest choice is to remove it. When that's the case, our job is to make it as comfortable and uneventful as possible.
We'll never recommend an extraction without explaining why, showing you what we see, and talking through what happens after — including whether and how to replace the tooth.
The area is fully numbed before we begin — you'll feel pressure but not pain, and we check in with you throughout. Most extractions are quicker than patients expect. You'll leave with clear written aftercare instructions and a plan for follow-up.
Most soreness resolves within a few days; we'll go over how to protect the site while it heals (see our post-operative instructions). If the tooth should be replaced — and for most teeth other than wisdom teeth, it should — we'll talk through implants, bridges, and partials so the gap doesn't create new problems down the road.
The extraction itself shouldn't — the area is completely numb. Expect some soreness for a few days afterward, usually well controlled with over-the-counter medication.
Dry socket happens when the healing blood clot is dislodged — it's painful but preventable. No straws, no smoking, and no vigorous rinsing for the first few days. Follow the aftercare sheet and your risk drops dramatically.