Services
Tooth Extractions
Removing a tooth is a last resort in modern dentistry, and Dr. Ali will tell you when a tooth can still be saved. Once one genuinely can't be, though, waiting tends to make things worse.
Why a tooth might need to come out
- Decay that's destroyed too much of the tooth structure for a filling or crown to repair
- Advanced gum disease that's caused the tooth to loosen beyond saving
- A fracture that extends below the gumline or into the root
- Crowding, particularly to make room before orthodontic treatment
- A wisdom tooth that's impacted or can't fully erupt in a healthy position
Simple versus surgical extractions
A simple extraction is for a tooth that's fully visible above the gum and removes cleanly with local anesthetic. A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth hasn't fully erupted, has broken off at the gumline, or has roots that are curved or complicated. That typically involves a small incision and sometimes removing a bit of bone to access the tooth. Wisdom teeth are the most common reason for a surgical extraction, since they're often impacted below the gum or angled in a way that rules out a simple removal.
What the days afterward look like
A blood clot forms in the socket almost immediately and is critical to healing. It's what you're protecting when you're told to avoid vigorous rinsing, straws, and smoking for the first day or two, since dislodging it can cause a painful complication called dry socket. Some swelling and soreness for the first 48 to 72 hours is expected and manageable with the aftercare instructions given at your visit. Anything that gets noticeably worse after the second or third day, instead of better, deserves a call.
Replacing the tooth afterward
An extracted tooth doesn't have to be a permanent gap. Depending on location and your goals, an implant, a bridge, or a partial denture can typically replace it once the site has healed. For a tooth in a visible or functional position, it makes sense to discuss replacement options at the same visit the extraction is planned, instead of deciding later.